MORE businesses across Sunraysia will close after the Federal Government announced further restrictions to help combat coronavirus.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday night that as of midnight Wednesday all libraries, museums, galleries, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, shopping centre food courts, indoor and outdoor play centres, swimming pools, auctions, open houses, amusement parks, arcades and indoor exercise activities would shut down.
Mildura Rural City Council has already closed its libraries, water play park, pools and the Mildura Arts Centre until further notice.
Wentworth Shire Council has closed its libraries and Willow Bend Caravan Park will close for an indefinite period of time from Friday, March 27.
For businesses like Beautique Skin and Body, the decision to close beauty salons is tough but one owner Alicia Poulton is willing to follow.
“I think the sooner everyone closes the better,” she said.
Ms Poulton said this would hopefully mean businesses would only have to close for a short amount of time rather than an extended period.
But the decision has still impacted staff who were “heartbroken” and left in a state of disbelief.
Ms Poulton said no customers visited the store on Wednesday, instead staff called all their customers and cancelled their appointments.
“It’s probably a good feeling — we’re not putting anyone at risk,” Ms Poulton said.
“We won’t be able to open until the government says we can.
“The minute they say we can open, we’ll be open.”
Meanwhile, First National Real Estate Collie and Tierney stopped holding auctions and open houses earlier this week.
“We pre-empted it and cancelled our open inspections,” director Ben Ridley said.
“It’s changing the way we do things.”
Mr Ridley believes it will become more normal for people to participate in online auctions and virtual tours of properties.
Currently people can participate in private house inspections and are provided with gloves.
“We’ve really had to make sure those things have been implemented quite quickly,” Mr Ridley said.
However, it is likely the coronavirus will continue to impact housing and rental markets.
“We haven’t seen any effect in the market just yet,” Mr Ridley said. “It would be naive to think it will stay that way.”
Collie and Tierney is still operating but people cannot access the office and are asked to call or email.
