Business as usual: Bellarine traders adapt to impact of coronavirus

BUSINESSES across the Bellarine are keeping their doors open during the coronavirus pandemic, with traders doing what they can to adapt to the changing conditions and directives from the state and federal governments.

Tourism bodies are also encouraging businesses to band together as an industry and support each other.

The Sharp Group director Lyndsay Sharp said all her venues – Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Leura Park Estate, Flying Brick Cider Co, Curlewis Golf Club and The Range @ Curlewis – were operating “in a ‘business as usual’, keep calm and carry on mode”.

“We are constantly monitoring the evolving government and Department of Health regulations and recommendations for best practice and following them to the letter – at a time like this, we must look to the experts and do whatever it takes to help prevent, contain and ultimately eradicate COVID-19.

“All team members at every venue have wholeheartedly embraced the increased sanitisation measures and precautionary actions across the board.”

She said local traders, like all industries and communities across Australia, were “sailing into totally unchartered territory but at least we are all doing it together”.

“Hopefully, community common sense, caring and consideration will prevail and together, we will all contribute to ‘flattening the curve’ and come out the other end.”

Ocean Grove Hardware owner Paul Drake said he had a responsibility to not only his customers but also his staff to stay open for as long as possible.

“It’s a time to be in business. It’s going to be a difficult period of time for everyone, but it’s a time for compassion.”

He said Ocean Grove Hardware was making local deliveries to people who might find it difficult to make it into the store.

“The ute’s out and about, we’re happy to throw things on the back.”

For this newspaper, it will be business as usual.

Readers and advertisers can be confident that we will continue to publish newspapers weekly, and keep our website (timesnewsgroup.com.au) and Facebook page (facebook.com/bellarinetimes) up to date with the most useful information about the coronavirus pandemic, as well as all of the usual local news you know and love.
For the latest information, updates and advice on coronavirus, head to dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.