Covid-19: Maitland business community prepares for lockdown, some to stand down staff

As testing clinic numbers swelled, businesses across Maitland packed up ready for the snap lockdown, with fears it could last longer than a week.

Hunter businesses are fearing the snap lockdown could last a lot longer, as they prepare to send staff home to work or shut up shop for seven days.

The one week stay-at-home orders are expected to mostly affect businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry, as some even move to temporarily stand down staff, waiting to see the outcome.

The testing clinic near Maitland Showgrounds was at capacity by 1pm on Thursday. Picture: Amy Ziniak

“There has been some talk of standing staff down because of the constraints of being locked down, your productivity, your sales,” Maitland Business Chamber President Shane Hamilton said.

“It’s about to have a big impact on some local businesses, particularly restaurants and cafes.”

But the Director of SJH Communications, who is sending his staff home to work, is optimistic that if everyone does the right thing, we’ll be back up and running soon.

“It’s a bit different to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, it’s a slightly different demographic, we’re not as dense in population, but it’s about staying at home,” Mr Hamilton said.

“I think in the next couple of days we’ll see if it is a positive outcome or we might start to see some further issues.

“We’ve been through it before, it’s not a new thing, however with how quickly this variant comes around, people are trying to be extra vigilant and it’s good to see so many people lining up to get tested,” Mr Hamilton said.

And that they were, as thousands lined up at two of Maitland’s major testing clinics throughout Thursday, as there was doubt testing kit numbers could stand up to the demand.

The clinic near Maitland Showground forced to close just after 1pm when it quickly reached capacity.

Meanwhile, accounting businesses like Dynamize Accounting in Maitland expect to be busier than ever, as they help their clients navigate through the lockdown, however long.

“We actually did more hours last lockdown than what we’ve ever done because we have to do all the testing to make sure clients are eligible for the grants,” Director Louise Lennox said.

“We spend all our time to make sure everything is legal, but restaurants and retail which will close, they don’t know where their next dollar is coming from.”

She said the biggest problem is how they will get the money they need to pay staff wages.

“The Covid grants at the moment are only covering 40 per cent of the wages so they’ve still got to come up with 60 per cent, and 60 per cent of nothing is nothing if you’ve got no money coming in,” Ms Lennox said.

“Our business won’t be too affected, but if our clients lose their business, then we will.”

Maitland Mayor Loretta Baker said we all needed to learn from the past, making sure that we take this lockdown seriously.

Maitland Mayor Loretta Baker said we must be compliant with the lock down. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

“It is our behaviour that will get us out of this,” she said.

“People don’t really understand how lethal and contagious that delta strain is, and it doesn’t spare anyone.”

Ms Baker all for the snap lockdown, as soon as a few cases popped up in the Hunter.

“I’m pleased the lockdown was straight away because I think we are learning from our experience over the last couple of months and what has happened in Sydney,” she added.

“There’s no room for complacency. Businesses will all be devastated but one week is better than one month.”

“We’ve got to look at the long game and do what we need to do with an end in sight.”