The Wire

Retail, hair and beauty, hospitality businesses in Victoria have felt the burden of the forced seven-day shutdown, as the state struggles to contain a growing coronavirus cluster. Casual workers have had their regular working shifts cut as shops have been forced to shut their doors. For the first time during the pandemic, workers have not had the safety net of Job-keeper to assist with lost income. Now small businesses left unable to operate during this circuit-breaker lockdown are calling on the federal government for financial assistance to help keep them on their feet.