NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Source: AAP/Joel Carrett.
Small business groups are concerned Sydney’s lockdown will cause more businesses to lose staff and exacerbate mental health issues among owners, after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced further restrictions across Greater Sydney from 5pm on Friday.
Alexi Boyd, interim chief executive of the Council of Small Business Organisations (COSBOA), says while restrictions must be guided by medical advice, there’s “nothing more devastating” to small businesses than the uncertainty of a lockdown.
“Not only does it cause a massive loss of income, to zero in most cases, but knock on effects for the broader economy as well and the mental health plight of business owners,” Boyd tells
Sydney businesses await extended lockdown support as confusion reigns smartcompany.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smartcompany.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Source: AAP/Joel Carrett.
Small businesses in New South Wales will be able to access COVID-19 support payments from July 19, as part of a new support package announced by the state government today.
The package will include grants of between $5000 and $10,000 to support small businesses affected by the current two-week lockdown across Sydney and regional areas, as well as an extension to the state’s Dine & Discover vouchers, which are designed to support hospitality providers.
Grants available
The NSW government will provide three categories of grants to small businesses that have seen a decrease in revenue during the restrictions, based on the level of revenue decline.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Source: AAP/Joel Carrett.
Business groups are increasingly frustrated that the New South Wales government is yet to announce support for businesses facing a two-week lockdown.
Alexi Boyd, interim chief executive of the Council of Small Business Organisations (COSBOA), says businesses in New South Wales need “meaningful, immediate and accessible support”.
“Particularly in regional areas because they’re not only losing holiday income, but are also losing income from trading with city-based businesses they would normally supply to,” Boyd tells
SmartCompany.
The NSW government announced stay-at-home orders for four local government areas on Friday, which coincide with the winter school holidays. The government then expanded COVID-19 restrictions to cover Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong from Saturday evening.
Committee behind eftpos, BPAY merger refutes claims it will lead to higher merchant fees smartcompany.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smartcompany.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.