Coffee on Jacob’s Dave Knibbs runs a café in Gawler and has been affected by coronavirus restrictions. PHOTO: Jack Hudson
Jack Hudson
THE Gawler Business Development Group has penned its concerns for local business in a letter to Premier Steven Marshall and Professor Nicola Spurrier.
The letter, which was also addressed to Commissioner Grant Stevens, Dr Chris McGowan, Jim McDowell and minister for health and wellbeing Stephen Wade, was written by the GBDG’s Caren Brougham as a plea to help struggling businesses.
Ms Brougham wrote “more than 20 per cent of our businesses are still struggling due to current COVID restrictions” and that the 2m2 restriction must be reviewed.
“Our businesses are not a ‘faceless statistic’ in a data report,” she wrote.
“Mostly, they are family owned and operated, franchises, or part of state and national companies, who are all committed local employers and contributors to supporting the local supply chain, as well as investors in our wider community by supporting local sporting, cultural and service groups, and more, through sponsorships and donations.
“With the withdrawal of JobKeeper only weeks away, creating another financial impact on those businesses still receiving it, all impediments and restrictions affecting business need to be reviewed as a matter of priority.
“We urgently need our local cafes, restaurants, hotels, service groups and charities providing food, back to operating at full capacity.
“We need them back to; employing more local people, to getting their week’s takings back in the ‘black’, supporting their local community, investing in their business, and looking forward to a brighter future.”
Ms Brougham also described concerns among businesses moving forward.
“Most of our small businesses have managed to stay afloat in an ever-changing environment, whilst all the time complying with government restrictions and requirements and will continue to comply with these,” she said.
“However, many are concerned that they will not recover adequately enough to continue or return to pre-COVID levels.
“We understand public health is of paramount importance.
“Our businesses are happy to explore other ways of safeguarding the health of their staff and customers.
“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with SA Heath other measures which may be equally effective in preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.”
