"We are on our knees": Melbourne businesses cry for help

Following a leaked report today that suggests Melbourne will undergo a further two weeks of Stage 4 restrictions, Chapel Street Precinct Association’s 2,200 businesses are pleading the shackles of economic hardship be released.

In a statement released to media Chapel Street Precinct Association general manager Chrissie Maus shared her concerns for the livelihoods and mental health of the city’s small business owners.

“We are on our knees, please end this crippling Stage 4 lockdown,” said Maus. “Beyond the harrowing economic strain, it is now doing damage to our business owner’s mental health and our communities’ well-being. They are exhausted and need clear hope.”

“All Melburnians are doing their utmost to stay indoors and socially isolate in order to stop the spread. The numbers delivered each day are heartbreaking for all those involved, but the general community wants to know how many mystery cases we need to get down to in order to have a pot and a parmy at their local pub,” Maus continued.

“Every day we remain shut, the economic recovery compounds, it’s snowballing and it’s heartbreaking. We definitely should be putting an iron-clad protective shield around our elderly and nursing homes, and doing everything we can to protect our health care workers, but we need to sandbag high-risk areas and get everything else open,” added Ms. Maus.

“Our Chapel Street Precinct businesses were leading the way with COVIDSafe mitigation and this extension is like death by 1000 cuts to those people who have done everything right,” said Chapel Street Precinct Association Chairperson Justin O’Donnell.

“Right now – we implore Melburnians to support your locals, the small businesses who need your business today, because tomorrow may be too late,” added Mr. O’Donnell.

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