Business is once again hit hard.
When asked how businesses are going to survive now JobKeeper had ended, the acting Premier said:
“We know this is going to be particularly difficult for businesses … and for events.
“We are currently working through what support will be provided.
“This pandemic will be with us for some time yet.
“All of us want this circuit breaker lockdown to be over as quickly as possible.”
Prior to Mr Merlino’s media conference, Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp warned that another lockdown will have a big impact on businesses.
“Businesses have gone through the toughest tradition conditions in living memory and many are just starting to recover,” Ms Capp tweeted on Thursday morning.
“JobKeeper has ended so a lockdown now will have potentially even greater impacts on our city businesses.”
Here are the key points for businesses:
Lockdown started at midnight last night and will continue for seven days.
Residents can leave home only for five reasons: Food and supplies; for authorised work; care and caregiving; exercise, for up to two hours and with one other person; and getting vaccinated.
Exercise and shopping will be limited to five kilometres from home. If there’s no shops in your five-kilometre radius, you can travel to the ones closest to you. Shopping is also limited to one person per day, per household.
Face masks will also need to be worn inside and outdoors – everywhere except your own home.
Private and public gatherings will not be permitted, although visiting your intimate partner continues to be OK. Single person bubbles will also be allowed.
Childcare and kinder will remain open, but schools will need to close other than for the children of authorised workers and vulnerable kids.
Shops like supermarkets, food stores, bottle shops, banks, petrol stations and pharmacies will also remain open.
Cafes and restaurants will be able to offer take-away only.
Gyms, hairdressers, community facilities and entertainment venues will all close.
Non-essential retail may only open for click and collect.
Hotels and accommodation can only stay open to support guests already staying onsite. No new bookings can be made – unless it’s for a permitted purpose, like authorised work.
Advice on who can open, and who can’t, will be made available online ahead of directions coming into place – as will the full list of authorised workers and workplaces.
The acting Premier said, “It’s clear – more than ever – this virus isn’t going away. And vaccines are the only way we’ll ever get back to normal.
“Without full vaccination, this virus will just keep mutating – and just keep making its way back in.”
