A Melbourne business owner has gone viral on Instagram after releasing an emotional video before lockdown five

Carly Soderstrom, a photographer who went viral with a video of her despair after being plunged into lockdown for the fifth time has pleaded with governments to scrap lockdowns.

Soderstrom, who resides in Torquay, near Melbourne, has spent almost 11 of the past 18 months in lockdown.

The 35-year-old’s viral video has reached millions of people in less than a week via her Instagram platform “carlzjsoda” – and comes after Melbourne was sent into its fifth lockdown.

The photographer has called for lockdowns to no longer be used as a method of managing COVID-19 due to the implications she says it is having on mental health among society.

Businesses have long called for action

Soderstrom said lockdowns weren’t working and small businesses continued to pay the price.” How much more suffering is people expecting small businesses to take on?

An online fundraiser set up by a stranger for Ms. Soderstrom after she shared her struggle on Instagram has so far raised more than $60,000.

Ms. Soderstrom said she planned to share the money with other people she knew who were also struggling.

Her plea came as Victoria recorded a further 16 cases of COVID-19 on the state’s third day of lockdown.

If you’re struggling during this difficult time, there is 24/7 support available via the Beyond Blue Support Serviceon 1300 22 4636 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au.