Boronia Mall, Forest Hill Chase shopping centre quiet as customers stay away
On any normal day these shopping centres and malls would be a hive of activity with shoppers keeping the cash registers ticking over. But despite the drop in coronavirus infections, strict stage 3 restrictions remain in place and it’s hurting businesses.
Outer East
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Shopping centres and malls across the eastern suburbs resemble ghost towns as most people remain indoors as stage 3 restrictions to bite into the hospitality and service industries.
Boronia Mall centre manager Lawrence Peresso said like all centres they had experienced a drop-off in customers.
“We’re no different to any other place at the moment, but we’re still open and we’ve got about 13 shops still trading,” Mr Peresso.
He said stores in the mall were following social distancing requirements, and he had removed chairs and shut down the children’s play equipment at the centre to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
He said he had asked a few people to move on who weren’t following social distancing requirements, but most people were doing the right thing.
“We’re doing our bit to save lives,” he said.
“As far as business goes I don’t think anybody would say they’re doing well.
“It’s a different world we’re in, it’s sad.
“But I think our government is doing a good job, and if everyone does their part we’re laughing (and stopping the spread of the virus) will work.”
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Mr Peresso said Kmart and Coles were still operating but were restricting customer numbers to meet social distancing requirements.
He said the post office and medical centre were still busy at the mall.
The Aussie Veterans Op Shop was also still trading.
At Forest Hill Chase shopping centre on Sunday afternoon customers were scarce, with Target, JB Hi-Fi, Harris Scarfe and the major supermarkets among only a handful of stores open, with the centre’s carparks offering plenty of free spaces.
Customers reported a similar scene at Westfield Knox and The Glen.
Westfield centres have begun offering a click and collect service, allowing customers to order items from multiple retailers and collect their order from their car.
According to the State Government, new state-based modelling shows staying at home and other physical distancing requirements are working to slow the spread of coronavirus, saving thousands of Victorian lives.
The modelling, done by Monash University and the Doherty Institute, in collaboration with epidemiology experts in the Department of Health and Human Services, found that if no physical distancing restrictions were in place, Victoria would have seen up to 58,000 coronavirus cases recorded every day at the peak of the pandemic.
Premier Daniel Andrews said with Victorians doing the right thing and staying home, the state had been able to slow the spread of the virus.
“If we stay the course and don’t get complacent, we will get through this together,” he said.