Monday, 19 July 2021
Following the announcement of new restrictions by Premier Steven Marshall, businesses are left confused about what today’s ‘COVID slowdown’ really means for them.
“We do not want a lockdown” said the Premier, following the announcement that non-essential retail, personal care and indoor fitness facilities will close from midnight tonight, and all other businesses will be strictly limited until Friday.
The South Australian Business Chamber CEO Martin Haese says: “At a time when hospitality, events, tourism and retail are already struggling, these closures and severe restrictions will be another blow for many SA businesses.”
“We are concerned by this sudden turn of events and recognise South Australia is in a precarious health situation. We hope there will be no extension to the restrictions beyond Friday.”
The South Australian Business Chamber understands that support measures for businesses during times of lockdown, announced by the Federal Government last week will not apply in these circumstances.
In early July, a four-day lockdown in Western Australia was cause enough for the State Government to provide support payments of $3,000 to eligible small businesses in Perth and Peel.
Although South Australia is not entering a strict lockdown, Mr Haese said “that there is no material difference for business owners who cannot trade, or whose trade is reduced to negligible levels.”
The South Australian Business Chamber’s position remains that any measures that restrict the ability for businesses to trade must not remain in place for one minute longer than necessary.
