Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has backed the people of Melbourne to bounce back after the world’s longest lockdown because they’re “smarter” than those in power.
“The good thing about the people of Melbourne, the people of Victoria, is that they are much smarter than the governments of the day, and you give them half a chance and they will return,” Mr Kennett told A Current Affair.
“Even though Victoria will face some enormous challenges, I have no doubt, we will overcome (them).”
Mr Kennett’s comments coincide with the end of Victoria’s latest lockdown, which has seen some parts of the state held under COVID-19 restrictions for a total of 262 days since last March.
From 9am tomorrow, salon-owning sisters Rene and Simone from Fringe and Skinn Studio in Ringwood will be once again open for business.
“We are super excited,” Rene said.
“It will be really great to be able see everyone again.
“When it was announced that we could take bookings, the phone lines went crazy, absolutely crazy, with lots of messages.”
In fact, bookings have been so popular that all hair appointments have been locked in at the salon until early December.
“We’re ready to keep going. We can’t wait,” Simone said.
Major retailers will have to wait a little longer to resume in-person trading under the current roadmap to ease restrictions.
Rob Sinclair, from E&S Trading, is hoping to have customers back in his stores from October 29, based on the current vaccination data.
“Melbourne is a great place. Victoria is a great place. We’ve got very talented businesspeople, and I think we’re going to see a period of growth still,” Mr Sinclair said from his Preston Showroom.
Mr Sinclair also predicted that employment opportunities will soon exist in the Victorian retail sector.
“We’re looking for 10 people at the moment, and we’ve put on 30 people during COVID to manage the change in business to click-and-collect,” he said.
Meanwhile, one issue that still needs attention is the regeneration of the CBD.
Large corporate offices and high-rise towers remain empty with many employees choosing to continue to work from home.
A leading town-planner has urged the City of Melbourne to embrace green spaces as it seeks to lure office workers back in the CBD.
“The city has got to green up,” Bill Kusznirczuk from Clement Stone Town Planners said.
“Global cities around the world have demonstrated those points.
“You’ve got to green up, you need more green spaces.”
Source: https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/coronavirus-melbourne-businesses-prepare-for-bounce-back-after-lockdown/557277e2-ff61-4532-9289-af6f25facd3a