Hospitality workers will struggle with the closure of all non-essential services, according to Border publicans.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Many in the industry were yesterday awaiting news of the shutdown, and what it will mean for their venues.
Josh Cale, who runs The Astor, said business had recently dropped off amid concerns over coronavirus.
A multimillion dollar renovation had been due to begin at the Albury venue next month, which will be delayed.
"If we get shut down, we'll just have to brace ourselves for that and hopefully come out the other side," he said.
"It's sort of the early stages but it could be a couple of months out of action.
"The hardest thing is the majority of our staff are casuals.
"It makes it really rough for them.
"We'll try to keep as many on as we can through it, but it will be very tough.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"We're doing all we can to try to survive."
Sodens licensee Brendan Tracey estimated the industry was down by about 70 per cent on the Border.
"There's no sign of it getting any better," he said.
"It could have impacts for years if a recession kicks in.
"It will be business as usual for us until we're forced by the government to close."
Mr Tracey said he hoped people could still support local businesses.
Staff at The Blazing Stump were also awaiting updates on the situation.
Albury Northside Chamber of Commerce chair Bronwyn Tyrell was also awaiting details after yesterday's news of mass closures.
"We're just trying to sit tight and see what kind of impact it is going to have," she said.
"It's obviously needed.
"Businesses are struggling massively already and it's only going to get worse.
"What we've seen is a lot of stress from business owners."
"It doesn't seem to matter what kind of business it is, there's so many that were heavily impacted already due to the bushfires and then now they've got this as another level of challenge."
Mrs Tyrell said the chamber was looking at ways to support businesses through the difficult times ahead.
"Everyone's in it together, there's no use blaming anyone or being frustrated about it," she said.
"It's extremely heartbreaking and it's extremely challenging but the only option we've got is to try and look for opportunities and look for positives, stick together, we are all in it together."
We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here