Small business groups are concerned Sydney’s lockdown will cause more businesses to lose staff, following a tightening of restrictions across Greater Sydney from 5pm on Friday.
For an industry that employs approximately 851,000 people (accounting for 6.5% of the total workforce) the uncertainty and closures have left thousands of people in financially insecure situations.
Small businesses are anxiously waiting for the Federal Court to hear a second business interruption test case that could see insurers pay out millions of dollars in claims.
Restaurants and cafes in Melbourne and Sydney CBDs are the focus of new voucher programs designed to boost trade in areas still suffering from low levels of foot traffic due to the pandemic.