Perth residents are nervously awaiting news on when the COVID-19 lockdown will end, as questions remain around compensation for business owners and workers.
Key points:
- Perth and the Peel region have woken to the fourth day of lockdown
- There's still uncertainty for business owners who have taken a financial hit
- The Premier says he will raise support measures with National Cabinet
The Perth and Peel regions were plunged into a four-day lockdown on Tuesday, after three COVID-19 cases were found in the community.
The first case, a 51-year-old physiotherapist, picked up the virus at a Bondi cafe two weeks ago before passing it on to at least three other people in Perth's northern suburbs.
The lockdown has shuttered hairdressers, beauticians, nail salons, gyms, yoga and pilates and dance studios, and entertainment venues.
The state's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) estimates WA businesses will be hit harder than last time — when the lockdown cost $170 million.
A decision on whether to lift the lockdown at midnight as planned will depend on the latest case numbers, with an announcement expected later today.
Premier to raise issue at National Cabinet
The government is yet to announce what kind of financial compensation will be provided to businesses affected by the latest lockdown.
Following the Anzac Day long weekend lockdown, assistance grants of $2,000 were offered to cover some of the costs and lost bookings caused by cancellations and closures.
But if the lockdown ends at midnight as planned, there may be no financial compensation for WA's 277,000 casual workers.
The Commonwealth is responsible for income support, while the states are responsible for supporting small businesses.
But the income support only starts if the lockdown lasts more than seven days.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said he planned on raising the issue at National Cabinet today.
"It's a problem," he said.
"That sort of support for casual workers, for employees who might be stood down, is the Commonwealth's responsibility under the agreement.
"The Commonwealth obligation only kicks in after seven days.
"This is an issue I will raise on Friday."
Business owners 'emotionally exhausted'
Armadale-based remedial massage therapist Carol Surgeon said she was losing about $350 of income a day.
But she said she did not meet the eligibility criteria for the previous round of government grants handed out following the Anzac Day weekend lockdown because her business was not registered for GST purposes, and had a turnover of less than $75,000.
While she fully supported lockdowns, Ms Surgeon said they were taking an emotional and financial toll on her and her business.
"I just wish the government would do more for sole traders out there financially to support us through these lockdowns," she said.
Perth Circus Festival producer Aline Chapet-Batlle said she feared the long-term impacts of lockdowns on the arts and entertainment industry.
The festival was due to open on Thursday night, but Ms Shapet-Batlle made the difficult decision to postpone the entire festival until August.
"The arts industry is the first one to shut down and the last one to open," she said.
"Right now my income is on pause until I don't know when. And that is the case for most artists in the industry.
"We keep thriving, we are always trying to find solutions, but there is a point where we keep problem-solving something that has no support anywhere.
"I have a strong feeling that you cannot kill the arts because people will always need that outlet.
"However, I think less and less people want to commit their life to the arts. Which means you can't put as much funding into it — which is a bit grim for the future of this industry.
"I am hoping we can rise up. I try to keep hope."
Financial support lifeline needed
DJ Lee, who owns a Vietnamese eatery in the Perth CBD, said he had to quickly pivot to takeaway only when the lockdown was called.
He said his business takes about an 80 per cent hit to revenue during lockdowns.
"We have got rent and bills and stuff to pay."
He said he was anxiously awaiting today's decision.
"I am constantly checking my phone," he said.
"We have to forecast our sales and forecast our stock and get ready for next week.
"A lot of businesses in the CBD have closed down because they have not been able to survive lockdown.
"We will be able to survive, depending on the financial support from the government."
The WA government is on track to deliver a record budget surplus later in the year, off the back of skyrocketing iron ire prices.
On Thursday, Mr McGowan said the state was in a good financial position, but he did not want to "blow it".
"What the position we are in is, we are able to fund initiatives to keep our state safe and to keep our economy strong," he said.
"What I don't want to do is blow it.
"I don't want to be in the situation that New South Wales is in, that the Commonwealth government is in, with decades of debt and deficit ahead of them."
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