Why lingerie stores, florist shops and the Reject Shop are open in lockdown

NSW health authorities have explained why a range of retail outlets that would struggle to be deemed “essential” have remained open this lockdown.

The NSW chief health officer has defended her decision to keep retail stores including lingerie shops and florists open amid stay-at-home orders in Sydney.

Despite Greater Sydney being plunged into lockdown at the end of last month over fears of the Delta strain of Covid-19, some questionable shops remain open.

Sydney-siders are only allowed to leave home for four “essential purposes” – for essential services including healthcare or grocery shopping, essential work, education or exercise.

However, in Tuesday’s press conference, CHO Kerry Chant explained why places like The Reject Shop and lingerie stores had remained open.

Put simply, the chances of the virus spreading in a retail setting is very low.

“I think the reality is, in retail it is in specific settings. So we have … the additional protections of mask wearing,” she said.

“I think the issue that we have to understand is that while we have seen transmission in retail, it is still a very much lower risk setting and the other settings.”

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NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was okay to keep these stores open as they are low-risk. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

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Dr Chant even went as far to argue that these stores were essential.

“But it is important … that people are able to go about and get essential products through lockdown,” she said.

“We know that people have to get food and groceries, heaters, blankets. These are part of essential for us to do.

“If you’ve got a funeral, then obviously having flowers for that is essential.

“Ringing up and having an online florist or bringing up and ordering a florist for someone to show care and compassion.”

However, it remains to be seen whether anyone is actually visiting a lingerie store during this time.

The National Retail Association has estimated a $2 billion blow to the retail and hospitality sector as a result of Sydney’s two-week lockdown.

“We do require people to apply common sense,” Dr Chant added.

“I think repeatedly I have said to minimise your activities, minimise your journeys, but all we‘re asking for the community to do is be on the journey with us and apply sense.”

Multiple businesses have shut their doors during lockdown, but a surprising selection have remained open. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The great outdoors has proved a low-risk setting for Covid-19.

During Sydney’s current coronavirus outbreak, which has climbed to 330 cases, not a single one has been transmitted outside, according to NSW Health.

On Tuesday, the state recorded 18 new locally-acquired coronavirus cases.

Hospitality has proved a high-risk setting for coronavirus transmission.