Melburnians were hit with the soul-crushing news their Covid-ravaged city, and their whole state, would have to endure another week of lockdown. - but it could get a lot worse and last for weeks.
The entire state of Victoria has begun its fifth day of a week-long ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown, but the effect on business will last longer, with some local business owners calling for eased restrictions in regional areas. Pictured is Maffra Business and Tourism Association president Marcus Stobie closing up for the lockdown on Thursday evening
Sarah Luke
THE local business community is hoping for restrictions to be eased this Friday, provided regional Victoria continues to record zero COVID-19 cases.
With no JobKeeper safety net available for Victoria’s fourth lockdown, blanket restrictions across the state have forced businesses more than 200 kilometres away from the nearest recorded case to close.
Industry groups fear Victorian businesses could close their doors for good if the state's snap COVID-19 lockdown extends past Thursday. The lockdown, designed to slow a new coronavirus outbreak in the community, was met with a $250 million emergency funding package from the State Government.