Wodonga and North East businesses need community support

For the fourth time in 18 months, Wodonga and North East businesses have been forced to close.

While some can temporarily move online or offer takeaway, some have no option but to close entirely.

No income, supplies wasted, but bills keep coming in.

Regardless, it's a blow no business can afford. But one North East businesses are sadly all too familiar with at this point.

For months they have been working to rebuild, to dig themselves out of the hole of debt or financial instability caused by the 2020 bushfires, repeated lockdowns and border closures.

Only to be plunged back into lockdown uncertainty again.

It's a particularly cruel fate for Wodonga business owners, who know just minutes down the road shops are open, cafes are serving breakfast, and businesses are running unimpeded by restrictions - again.

Beauty businesses like Wodonga's Refine Skin have been subject to particularly long restrictions, being one of the last sectors to return as restrictions ease due to the close contact required.

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Owner Jacinta Knight said it was hard to stay positive as they entered their fourth lockdown.

"We were closed for 26 weeks last year, and then we had the five-day lockdown in February, and now seven days," she said.

"To be three-and-a-half hours away from any cases and to have your business shut down ... it doesn't make sense."

This time around businesses don't have JobKeeper.

"[It] was an absolute lifesaver, so to not have that just means over the next few weeks we're running at a loss," Ms Knight said.

The Victorian government's promise to assist small businesses is welcome news. But the Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula has confirmed once the package is finalised over the weekend, it will flow through to business owners "generally within a week or two".

But North East businesses need support, and money. So when lockdown is over, take a trip south of the border and show your support.

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