By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury Business Association president Michael Osborne fears the reinstatement of stage three lockdown will have a “larger and detrimental” impact on Sunbury businesses than the first lockdown had.
As part of stage three restrictions, Sunbury restaurants and cafes have been forced back to takeaway and delivery services and beauty salons, entertainment and cultural venues have closed.
Mr Osborne said the second lockdown would not only impact businesses’ income, but also the mental health of business owners.
“At this point in time, the lockdown is having a similar impact [than the first lockdown],” he said.
“But I think because this one … has a potential to go on much longer than the six weeks, the lockdown will have a far bigger impact on the local businesses, economy and community in general.
“The businesses have got the livelihoods of their teams and staff to consider [and] combine that with having to support a family and kids that cannot go to school … it is going to have a massive impact financially and socially.”
Ms Osborne said business owners should seek assistance from banks, landlords and accountants to find out about grants that are available to assist with the financial impact.
“Make sure you are registering and obtaining grants you are entitled to,” he said.
“It’s just about open communication. But also on the emotional level, talk to people and get advice on how to weather this storm because it is going to be around for a long time.”
Mr Osborne said the community would play a vital role in helping businesses survive the second shutdown.
“That can be in the form of gift vouchers, it could just giving great Google reviews or promoting good service,” he said.
“There have been businesses that didn’t survive lockdown one and there will be more businesses that don’t survive lockdown two.
“We cannot afford to have local businesses drop off and not be in existence in five or six weeks time.”
While locals are being urged to shop at smaller businesses within Sunbury, Mr Osborne said shopping local did extend to big supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths.
“As an association, we really would love to support local businesses who operate and keep money in Sunbury – that’s our number one priority,” he said.
“But we are aware that Coles and Woolworths are very big employers of people.
According to Mr Osborne, Sunbury businesses remained “cautiously optimistic”, however, there was a degree of anxiousness as to how long the pandemic, and it’s effects that followed, would last.
“Doesn’t matter how many lockdowns we have or if it’s a pandemic, there is always going to be issues that confront communities and the stronger communities are the ones that support each other,” he said.
Hume continues to top the list with the most recorded cases of coronavirus.
There were 235 active cases of the virus as of Wednesday. The municipality has recorded 464 cases since the pandemic began.
The Macedon Ranges has three active COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12.
