Coronavirus fears clear Sydney streets and suburbs including Chinatown and Eastwood
Fears of the coronavirus have left normally bustling Sydney tourist hot spots and the streets of Chinese suburbs virtually deserted.
Northern District Times
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Fears of the coronavirus have left normally bustling Sydney tourist hot spots and the streets of Chinese suburbs virtually deserted.
Meanwhile, health officers will remain stationed at Sydney Airport indefinitely as authorities work to contain the coronavirus in NSW.
“While there are planes flying and people coming back from China we will have a presence at the airport to support our commonwealth officials and the border,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said yesterday.
The number of confirmed cases across the state remains at four with a further 29 currently under investigation. But the fear of the virus has spread rapidly.
Last night Ryde Council voted to install measures to reinvigorate businesses in the suburb of Eastwood, which has become a “ghost town” as residents avoid the area due to misinformation on social media.
It has led to some shop owners reporting a downturn of more than 70 per cent since the virus broke out.
The $500,000 fund would be used for a “Return to Eastwood” public relations campaign to support the local economy and community and would include a subsidised gift card scheme.
And a small business hardship grant would also be created with the fund and would allow businesses with less than $2 million annual turnover to apply for grants of up to $2000.
Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale said: “Eastwood has been targeted with false information. The fact is Eastwood is safe and we want to educate the public and get the right facts out there.
“The last three weeks it’s been a ghost town and it’s an incorrect perception of Eastwood. It’s not good for local businesses and local employees,” he said.
Mother-of-two Lei Wang said she used to go to Eastwood’s shopping centre daily but since the outbreak she has tried to minimise her shopping.
“I try not to go too often now,” she said.
Ms Wang, who has a two-year-old son, Oscar, said: “I just stay at home and if I go to the supermarket I will buy a lot of vegetables and meat for maybe at least three days.”
In Chinatown, Golden Abalone employee Jane Feng said neighbouring restaurants on Dixon Street had asked landlords to lower rent prices.
“There are no tourists,” Ms Feng said. “It’s very hard — no one comes. All the restaurants have no business.”
Mother Chu’s Taiwanese Gourmet owner Allan Chu said business had been “stagnant” for the past week.
“I think people are afraid of coming outside — they are wary and cautious,” he said.
Sydney fisherman Chris Temple, whose manager sells produce to the Sydney Fish Market, said prices had gone down. “According to my boss, he’s just getting by with the fish price,” he said.
EASTWOOD COUNCILLOR TEAMS UP WITH DENTIST
Councillor Trenton Brown along with local dentist Dr Anthony Ching handed out 1000 face masks on Rowe St in a bid to promote hygiene, resume confidence in shoppers and support local Eastwood business on Tuesday.
More than 60 people queued up before midday before the masks were handed out keen to get a mask.
Local resident Winni Pu said she found out through WeChat and rushed straight down. She said she felt “lucky” to get a free mask because a mask she bought from a nearby chemist was $8.
Cr Brown said stocks were low for face masks and he was concerned about people profiteering from the outbreak.
“A face mask is worth about 10 cents and some people are profiteering selling it for $4 a pop,” he said.
Asked whether he thought face masks instilled fear in the community, Cr. Brown said he hopes it does the “opposite” and gives people confidence to come back.
“I’m trying to regenerate the area by handing out masks,” he said.
Mr Brown said they are giving out N99 masks which he claimed were the highest grade.