Are businesses at breaking point?

The impact of Covid is having a profound impact on local business, and not just economically.

Dealing with the constant restrictions and repeated lockdowns is affected the mental health of owners and their staff.

Kimberley Brown from North Pier said the impact is apparent in her staff.

“We’ve had a lot struggle, and I’m proud they’ve gotten through this far.”

Before the latest lockdown, businesses reported they were struggling with the requirements to check ID (to ensure no one from Melbourne was in the venue) and getting customers to wear masks.

“There is assistance through PITBA and DPI, who ran a program about dealing with difficult customers, but it is weighing heavily on people’s mental health,” Kimberley said.

“Some are questioning if they need to find other roles. It wasn’t part of their job description when they were employed, to be doing this kind of policing of these laws.”

She believes a higher police presence would help deter those breaking the rules, but said local police didn’t have the resources.

“We very rarely see them unless it’s an emergency or we need them, but they’re busy. Their whole job isn’t about Covid.”

She said most businesses did not call the police about issues with customers, as they were reluctant to tie up police resources.

“It doesn’t warrant wasting police time when there’s so many bigger issues.”

Prior to the latest lockdown, Senior Sergeant Andy O’Brien from Cowes police said they weren’t receiving many calls about Covid breaches, but he agreed people had come into the area from Melbourne.

“There are definitely people here that shouldn’t be. People are sneaking down.”

On Friday night (August 20), police were stopping cars coming across the bridge and checking licences, but said no breaches were detected.

Senior Sergeant O’Brien said police were keen to work with business associations and the council to try and find a local solution, and he agreed people were worn down by the ongoing lockdowns.

“I think the fatigue attached to this issue is at a ridiculous level.”

He urged anyone with concerns about Covid breaches to report incidents to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

“If people use this number, it means the job is logged and it will be despatched to a front-line unit for attention.”

Snr Sergeant O’Brien said as well as the usual 24/7 police presence, there was a Covid unit rostered on every day, which undertook pro-active policing and conducted Covid compliance checks.

Support

Kim Storey, General Manager at Destination Phillip Island (DPI), said DPI was doing all it could to support local businesses.

Last week it posted a brief video from Communications Specialist Leah Mether, outlining steps to take to make the enforcement role less fraught, including having a plan for dealing with customers who refuse to comply.

“Go hard on the issue, but soft on the person,” Leah advised, adding that having empathy and the right tone when greeting customers could help diffuse a difficult situation.

She said the period where the regions were under lighter restrictions while Melbourne was locked down, had caused additional headaches for businesses.

DPI approached local MP, Jordan Crugnale, asking for the daily press conferences to reinforce the rules around travel to regional Victoria.

Although DPI did not keep official figures on incidents, members regularly reported issues with checking ID or customers refusing to wear masks.

A weekly online coffee meeting had been set up, with members able to check in and discuss the issues with DPI and each other, providing practical, professional and emotional support

Shire help

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Economic Development and Investment Manager Shannan Little said additional funding from the state government meant a Business Support Officer role at the shire had been extended.

“Her role is to work with businesses to be Covid safe, so they can remain open and trade.”

He praised local business operators, saying the recent Covid scare where 30 plus exposure sites didn’t result in a single case of local transmission showed the level of compliance.

“It goes beyond more than single effort. Having 30 exposure sites and no local transmission – shows the level of compliance of local business.”

He also acknowledged the burden being placed on businesses and staff, was having a severe impact on mental health.

“It is hard. We are trying to encourage people to focus on the mental health aspect.”

Shannan said Council was open to ideas on how to help local business cope with the increasing demands and urged anyone with suggestions to contact them.

He also urged anyone struggling emotionally to reach out for help, by contacting Beyond Blue or Lifeline Gippsland.

If you or someone you know is struggling to cope, Lifeline Gippsland offers 24/7 telephone crisis support on 13 11 14, or visit  www.llg.org.au

Contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue.org.au.