The six-week lockdown came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, and prohibits residents across metropolitan Melbourne from leaving their homes for any purpose other than shopping for essential items, school or work, providing care, or daily exercise. This is in addition to the ten postcodes that had been locked down last week.
With no more than two people permitted to gather in any public place, beauty salons have also been prohibited from opening to sell retail items, an allowance extended to them some weeks ago, before restrictions were lifted.
It was a step along owners had hoped too avoid, given that they had only been given the green light to re-open five weeks ago.
“It’s a real kick in the teeth,” salon owner Chantelle Wilson said. “We’ve done everything right, we’ve ensured that our customers have the tracing app, and our hygiene practices have been as thorough as possible. But because some people have done the wrong thing and spread the virus, we’re all being punished again,” she said, adding that she was unsure how she would maintain her staff if JobKeeper ended while she was still in lockdown.
“Holding on to staff is going to be of major concern to salon owners,” said business analyst, Brian Marshall. “JobKeeper will see salon owners through until the end of lockdown, but re-opening will likely coincide with the end of the payment, which means owners will be looking for funds to pay their staff while also trying to meet rent, supplier fees, and all the rest. It’s going to be tough going for a long time.”
Areas affected by the lockdown are below:
Metropolitan Melbourne: Banyule City, Bayside City, Boroondara City, Brimbank City, Cardinia Shire, Casey City, Darebin City, Frankston City, Glen Eira City, Greater Dandenong City, Hobsons Bay City, Hume City, Kingston City, Knox City, Manningham City, Maribyrnong City, Maroondah City, Melbourne City, Melton Shire, Monash City, Moonee Valley City, Moreland City, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Nillumbik Shire, Port Phillip City, Stonnington City, Whitehorse City, Whittlesea City, Wyndham City, City of Yarra andYarra Ranges
Regional Victoria: Mitchell Shire
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