Ready to help out business

Premier’s vow on lockdown funds

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has not ruled out providing additional financial support to businesses affected by the snap three-day lockdown in southern Tasmania.

The federal government offers $1500 pandemic leave disaster payments for people who cannot earn an income because they are required to self-isolate or quarantine.

The Tasmanian government, meanwhile, provides pandemic isolation assistance grants for low-income earners in the same circumstances. These equate to $250 an adult, and $125 a child, capped at $1000 a household.

In announcing the lockdown on Friday, Mr Gutwein said the government may yet introduce further financial support measures.

“Obviously a number of businesses will still be able to trade, through takeaway, through this [lockdown],” he said. “And there will be some businesses that will not be impacted much at all.

“But what we will do is work with the business community. And as I have always said, if there is a need for us to do more in terms of support, we will.”

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray said local businesses in the Bridgewater community were

suffering due to some staff being required to quarantine.

A Covid-positive man escaped hotel quarantine in Hobart on Monday night and went on to visit a number of sites at Bridgewater that have since been deemed exposure sites.

Mr Gray said further financial support for affected people and businesses would be welcome.

“The state government possibly could look at that as an option to assist people in difficult circumstances,” he said. “But I also defer that to the federal government, as well. It certainly should be, I think, a combination of both.”

Bridgewater PCYC manager Justin Abrahams told ABC Radio his business was

down 10 staff due to them being identified as either close or casual contacts of the Covid-positive case.

But Mr Abrahams said most of his staff were permanent employees and so he did not expect to encounter any issues relating to lost income.

“I think everybody likes to see wages relief and support for those that need it,” he said.

“It’s people that are in need that have been unfortunately kept at home with very little warning.”

An Opposition spokesman said the state government needed “to be working with their Canberra colleagues, seeking to support those businesses who need it if they are impacted by the requirements of quarantine”.