Half of the small businesses in the Australian state of Victoria could be wiped out under the state government’s current lockdown schedule, according to the head of Australia’s Retailers Association. Paul Zahra told the National Press Club that the state’s “roadmap” out of lockdown, which requires the daily case tally be brought below five before most restrictions are lifted, did not consider alternatives such as a “progressive reopening”. He said he anticipated “the first signs of the economic collapse” would be seen in coming weeks, demonstrated by the “highly visible” failure of retail businesses and the proliferation of “for lease” signs. Victoria has become the epicentre of Australia’s coronavirus outbreak. While regional Victoria is under relatively mild restrictions, its capital Melbourne – where 92 per cent of the state’s Covid-19 cases have occurred – remains under lockdown, even as other states reopen. There are over 600,000 small businesses in Victoria, employing almost half of the state’s private sector workforce. On Monday Robert Scott, CEO of Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers – which owns retail giants Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks and Target – told The Australian newspaper that the lockdown was causing “incalculable” damage to the state. Australia’s Federal Government has attacked State Premier Daniel Andrews’ scheduled end to restrictions as too cautious, and has blamed the lockdown in Victoria for dragging Australia deeper into its first recession in nearly 30 years. But Mr Andrews says his government is following the advice of scientists and health experts and that to “run out of lockdown” too fast would risk a third wave of infections. Victoria has gone from a daily peak of 725 cases in early August, to under 90 cases per day since September 3. Mr Andrews is not alone in clashing with the national government. Western Australia’s Premier Mark McGowan and Queensland leader Annastacia Palaszczuk have also struck a defiant tone on re-opening their borders.
