Free parking arrived at Wollongong Central this week, but - in a sign of the times - it's not even a blip on the radar for most people, as the Illawarra's economic heart continues to shut down.
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Overnight on Wednesday, food courts, gyms, personal and council services will join the bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants which were already ordered to close (or become takeaway only, for food services) as Australia tries to stop the spread of COVID-19.
While retail stores are still allowed to operate under the measures announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison late on Tuesday, many in Wollongong will not reopen on Thursday morning.
For instance fashion retailer Mosaic, which owns brands such as Noni B, Rivers, W Lane, Rockmans and Katies, which all have stores in Wollongong, told investors on Wednesday morning it would suspend all store operations from Thursday after a significant drop in traffic.
It said 6800 people - mostly women - would be stood down across the country with staff able to access to some leave entitlements while the company reviews what government support may be available.
Across the country and in Wollongong, Forever New and Michael Hill Jewellers closed on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Premier Investments told investors would temporarily close all stores until April 22, standing down over 9000 staff worldwide. Its brands include Jacqui E, Smiggle, Peter Alexander, Jay Jays, Just Jeans and Portmans; these stores will all close in Wollongong.
Lovisa, Athlete's Foot, Skechers, Platypus, Tarocash, YD, Connor and General Pants are among other closures that have been announced.
With 30,000 retail job losses added nation-wide by Friday, many other retailers are expected to shut even without a next round of government restrictions.
At Doll Face eyebrow bar - a personal service business affected by Tuesday's announcement - manager Gemma Armstrong was "pretty gutted", but trying to stay positive as the last customers came in before closure.
"It's stressful for everyone involved, especially for our owner, for staff who are renting, living away from their families - the flow on is huge," she said.
"But we've had so many people coming in today and supporting us until we can reopen. All you can do is take it a day at a time, and I think if you go into a panic that's when things get bad. No one knows how to deal with this, not even the Prime Minister."
In the Wollongong Central food courts, chairs were packed away and cordoned off and some food outlets had closed. In what would usually be a lunch time rush, it appeared many had already heeded the Prime Minister's advice not to go outside.
In other news, which previously would have been cause for celebration across the city, the centre this week finally removed its parking charges for the first two hours, allowing shoppers to get in to go to the supermarket, chemist, doctor, takeaway food and, for now, retail shopping.
But, no matter what measures, the rolling closures and lack of people will no doubt put a strain on tenants and landlords.
On Tuesday, the NSW parliament passed temporary laws regarding retail tenancies as part of its COVID-19 Pandemic legislation, opening up the possibility that landlords will not be about to evict retail tenants under certain circumstances.
In the short term, closure-affected businesses can also apply to postpone or stagger the payment of council rates, through the city's hardship assistance and debt recovery policy. Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said any application, which can be done online, would be sent to the General Manager and turned around quickly.
"We're also looking at being able to suspend interest for people and will be looking at all sorts of options so we can be as flexible as possible," he said. "This change has been dramatic and fast, but I'm hoping that is we slam the breaks on fast then we will also be able to take our foot off the pedal when the crisis has passed."
Read more:
- Visitors banned from Illawarra Shoalhaven hospital wards with COVID-19 patients
- Why you're more likely to get tested for COVID-19 in Sydney than Wollongong
- Prime Minister announces tighter COVID-19 restrictions to start Wednesday - live updates
- COVID-19 testing clinics now operating at Shellharbour, Shoalhaven hospitals
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