AS businesses close their doors in the wake of restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19, there has been a push to spend local while businesses still have the capacity to operate.
Maffra Business and Tourism Association president Marcus Stobie said the whole situation was devastating, but urged people to spend in town where possible.
“So many people’s jobs and livelihoods are just being dashed just with the stroke of an announcement from the Prime Minister,” he said.
“We knew it was coming, and people really need to be resourceful in these times and restructure their finances, and do what they can to get through.
“Clearly it’s not a time of profit and making money – it’s about surviving and not going down with a sinking ship.
“What I want to ask everybody in town, everybody in Maffra, even though they’re hurting and they’ve got to look after number one, if there’s any opportunity to do any sort of business in town still, please do it where you can.
“If there’s something you need from a local business who can provide that in a safe, effective manner, whether that’s paying for something over the phone and dropping it off … please explore that option first.
“It’s going to be a killer few months, but everyone needs to stay together, stay safe most importantly, but if we can minimise the bleeding as much as we can, hopefully we can come out the other side a little bit stronger and with a whole new perspective on life.”
