Like many North East business owners, Jade Sparks is just holding on.
After three lockdowns have threatened her hair, beauty and salt therapy business in its first year, Ms Sparks is just thankful to be reopening after the five-day snap lockdown.
But while there is relief that the business can try and get back on its feet, the frustration still remains.
Harlo & Co Salon and Wodonga Salt Rooms has been operating from the South Street, Wodonga site since April 2020 but it has been a slog for Ms Sparks.
"I have had to dip into my savings to pay my staff wages," she told The Border Mail.
"It really has been tough to be honest, this is our third lockdown and I think without the hairdressing side of the business we wouldn't be here today.
"This lockdown was a freaking nightmare, we had to cancel all our Valentine's weekend bookings at such short notice.
"We are now super booked, working long hours and extra on Saturdays just to try and make up for loss of trade."
Ms Sparks said the hardest thing this time around had been cancelling the hairdressing side of the business.
"They just left us with nothing - we were still trying to trade ourselves out of the last two lockdowns and we were hit with this," she said.
"It would be great for people to stay and support Wodonga businesses after this lockdown and not travel over to Albury.
"I know that sounds competitive, but we have copped it and Albury definitely hasn't.
"It really has been a tale of two cities."
IN OTHER NEWS:
With most businesses re-opening their doors again on Thursday, Wodonga's mayor Kev Poulton said while everyone was pleased to see the end of lockdown, the community was "fatigued and confused".
"It does become harder to remain positive," he said.
"Decisions being made 300 kilometres away effectively divide our community and there doesn't seem to be much consideration of the impact here on the border.
"We know the role we all play in this and how important it is to protect our virus-free status here in the region.
"But it is frustrating in the regional areas and particularly on the border, when these decisions are made and it would be preferable that clusters are managed in a way similar to NSW and Queensland without locking down the entire state.
"Myself and the CEO have been constantly advocating to the government for more support for businesses and for consideration of our border community in ensuring an even playing field, particularly for our businesses, with our NSW neighbours."
