BREAKING: Victorian Retailers to Shut as Five-Day Lockdown is Put in Place

Updated: 12.02.21 3:38 PM AEDT

Premier Daniel Andrews has informed Victorians that Stage Four-style restrictions will be put in place for five days, which means that non-essential retail will temporarily close.

The ‘circuit breaker’ restrictions will begin at 11:59 PM on Friday, 12th February and will conclude on Wednesday, 17th February.

“Shopping for what you need, when you need it,” said Andrews.

This is a ‘devastating blow’ for Victorian retailers, Paul Zahra, the CEO fo the Australian Retailers Association said in a statement. “They’ve been through so much in the past year and have done their best to return to an even footing in recent months. Unfortunately, some of the horrors of 2020 continue,” he said.

“We certainly hope the Victorian health authorities get on top of this quickly and that this lockdown doesn’t drag out for longer than it needs to.

“Sadly, there won’t be much love in the air for Victorian businesses this Valentine’s Day. Last minute shopping will be curtailed and romantic dinner date plans have been dashed. That’s a massive blow for restaurants who would have been fully booked for one of their busiest nights of the year.”

More to come. 

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