Melbourne businesses are again facing financial stress as the entire state swells through a fourth COVID-19 lockdown, caused by yet another outbreak.

The Victorian State Government has ordered many businesses to close while others will continue to operate with heavy restrictions.

The “embarrassing” Government Support Package

$250 million has been put on the table to support organisations impacted by the lockdown, with grants between $2500 and $3500 available to successful applicants.

Industry leaders however have slammed the government for not only their response to the developing cluster, but also the “embarrassing” package offered to those having by a thread during this fourth lockdown.

Chrissie Maus, the General Manager of the Chapel Street Precinct has criticised the Governments response, and says businesses are calling the support offered to them “the nothing package”

Maus told Ticker News host Holly Stearnes that many organisations have lost “much more than a couple of grand”. She detailed that in one night alone, restaurants within her hospitality precinct are losing around $40,000, and the amount “goes up” on weekends.

No JobKeeper

This lockdown has been labelled ‘even harder than the previous ones,’ especially for workers who have been stood down as a result.

The Australian Federal Governments’ employee support package, JobKeeper, expired in March, meaning businesses are now effectively paying their employees once again out of their cash flow, rather than using the wage subsidy scheme.

Thousands of employees within the hospitality sector, retail, and travel industries have been temporarily stood down, many without pay due to being casual workers.

Chrissie Maus is now calling on the government on behalf of those industries, urging more support to be offered to those that will ‘go hungry’ because of no income.

Lockdown extension looming

The Victorian Government has not ruled out an extension of the lockdown, stating the next days are “critical”.

Health Authorities confirmed the virus was continuing to spread across the city, with the amount of active cases sitting at over 50.

Authorities hold great concern for the aged care sector after a worker tested positive to coronavirus.