Cairns business owners reveal how Covid should’ve been handled differently

Far North businesses have been through hell over the last two years, demoralised by constant lockdowns and restrictions. Now a new report has offered a scathing assessment of the government’s response to Covid-19.

Whiplash from constant closures, getting a second job and little to no clientele was some of what these Cairns business owners endured during the pandemic, as a new report offers a scathing assessment of the government’s response to Covid-19.

The 97-page-review, funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, John and Myriam Wylie Foundation and Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation, revealed vulnerable communities suffered in consequence of policies that ignored societal inequalities.

While the pandemic was “uncharted territory” for the government, the lockdowns and strict rules were hard to navigate and enforce, according to Sarah Turner, owner of Dijo Clothing.

Sarah Turner, owner of Dijo Clothing, said the constant lockdowns made her feel like her business was starting from scratch every time. Picture: Nuno Avendano

“When we went back into lockdown, it would take two to three weeks (for the business) to recover so that was a bit demoralising,” she said.

“Having to police (the rules) was awkward and uncomfortable.

“There was so much fearmongering, I still see the fear in people with social distancing.”

Opening a business in 2021 during Covid-19 was only for the brave as Ben Lowry, owner of Tropik Nutrition, found out.

He said constant worrying and getting a second job to keep the business afloat were some of the measures he had to adopt during the pandemic.

“We had to cut back on luxuries personally and work extra to make ends meet,” he said.

“It was a difficult on a personal level too, you couldn’t see your business thriving and hitting landmarks and gains you wanted it to.

“But the people that came out the other end are stronger because of it.”

Ben Lowry, owner of Tropik Nutrition, said he feels he’s stronger as a business owner after going through the Covid rollercoaster. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Just breaking even, Mr Lowry said the state and federal responses added a greater strain to the already struggling business during the height of Covid.

“(There should’ve been) less lockdowns and less border closures, I’m a big believer in the ability to vaccinate and then just crack on,” he said.

The review’s panel was led by Western Sydney University chancellor Peter Shergold who said vulnerable Australians had to be at the centre of planning.

“(For some) Covid-19 will be a story of trauma, isolation and terrifying uncertainty,” the panel said.

“It will be a story of being locked in overcrowded housing, job loss and missing out on government supports.”

The panel understood four key decisions that the government should have made; fair and equitable economic support, less lockdowns and border closures, schools to remain open and greater protection for the elderly — a mistake that “cost lives”.

Originally published as Cairns business owners reveal how Covid should’ve been handled differently