LILYDALE & YARRA VALLEY EXPRESS EDITION Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
Phone: 1800 231 311.
www.LocalPaper.com.au
www.AdvertiseFree.com.au
‘The Local Paper’ is published by Local Media Pty Ltd
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021
■ LOCAL BUSINESSES have expressed anger and frustration at the latest five-day COVID lockdown, due to conclude at 11.59pm Wednesday (Feb. 17). The lockdown was announced on Friday (Feb. 12) by Premier Daniel Andrews after a number of new Coronavirus cases were reported in Melbourne. Restaurants across the Yarra Valley region were forced to close ahead of what was to be one of the busiest trading weekends of the year. Thousands of bookings for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day events had to be cancelled. Florists and gift shops were hoping for a big trading weekend for Valentine’s Day, but had to close on Friday night. Eateries across Melbourne were forced to throw out millions of dollars of food. The lockdown was affecting businesses across Yarra Valley, Murrindindi, Mitchell and surrounding areas. Restaurateurs said the snap decision to introduce the restrictions last Friday meant that they did not even had time to give the food away. The story was the same for florists who were left with thousands of dollars of fresh flowers unsold. “Today is Groundhog Day for Victorian businesses who are feeling deeply frustrated about the current COVID-19 situation in Victoria and the impact that these latest restrictions will have
No cases in Yarra Valley or anywhere in regional Victoria, but metro rules close down the local area and other sporting events, Valentine’s Day, weddings and functions planned. “Business will once again have to absorb the cost of stock losses, while thousands of Victorians won’t be able to work. “It’s another massive blow to our economy which was just starting to get back on its feet.” Meanwhile , there were a number of new new positive cases linked to the Holiday Inn both attended the private dining venue at 426 Sydney Rd in Coburg on the night of February 6. They are from separate households. ● Turn To Page 3 ● Premier Daniel Andrews at a media conference held at the weekend. on their business,” said Paul Guerra, Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce. “Victoria must avoid a third wave, and if the public health advice is that restrictions are required to do that, then we have to accept that they are necessary. “However, Victorian businesses cannot and should not keep paying the price for the shortcomings in Victoria’s hotel quarantine system. “This weekend was slated to be one of our busiest for some time, with the Australian Open
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE FRONT-PAGE FROM JUST $20 PER WEEK Your business can have front-page prominence in a local edition of The Local Paper for just $20 per week if you order a 45-issue pre-paid package. Limited offer. First-in basis.
The Local Paper Phone 1800 231 311, 0450 399 932 editor@LocalPaper.com.au
FIREWOOD Murray River Redgum Yes! ... We Deliver. P: 1300 87 87 25 E: yarravalley@ brazzen.com.au