A state-wide lockdown is the “only weapon” Victoria has against an outbreak of a handful of cases and it tells businesses it will continue to happen going forward, Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox.
The entire state of Victoria was plunged into a five-day snap lockdown on Friday after just under 20 cases of coronavirus were detected and linked to the Holiday Inn quarantine facility.
The lockdown severely affected businesses across the state ahead of Valentine’s Day which is one of the biggest weekends of the year for many industries.
“There’s just confusion everywhere and no clarity at all for businesses around what they can and can’t do,” Mr Willox told Sky News.
“Uncertainty about how long the lockdown lasts and complete befuddlement that regional Victoria is shutdown as well.
“To throw an entire state into lockdown again over a relative handful of cases just tells businesses this is all that’s going to happen going forward.
“It’s like trying to get back up on your feet again after being knocked down and then being hit in the back of the head.
“It was a real knockout blow for businesses. For many it will be unfortunately the final nail in their coffin.”
