WITH the country edging further into lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19, local businesses are really starting to feel the sting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Employers from all across Leeton are having to relieve staff of their duties to balance the books, as tourism in the area sees a major blockage.
Owner of Leeton Heritage Motor Inn, Wayne Bond, has been hit particularly hard.
"Every time the phone rings you hope it's a booking for a night, not a cancellation for ten nights," he said.
"It's day by day out here at the moment."
The financial impact has been apparent across Australia, but local businesses that run on pride over profit are being hit worst by the epidemic.
Despite Leeton not having any confirmed cases of coronavirus, locals have implemented the correct measures for prevention, through self-isolation and social distancing.
This approach should help revitalise the local economy once government restrictions are lifted and the community can return to normal.
READ MORE
"I think once this is all over, things will hopefully bounce back pretty quickly," Mr Bond explained.
"I think on the other side it will be a strong comeback, even if it's a little slow to start up.
"But for now, we have no magic bullet, everyone just needs to do what they can to stay afloat."
Wayne has held the reigns at Leeton Heritage Motor Inn since February 2017, citing the busy nature of the accommodation hotspot until this month took the world by storm.
Business had been great for the site, seeing multiple renovations and expansions in their three-year history, but recent weeks have created a downward spiral for the business.
"We've worked very hard and put a lot of effort into creating what is the best accommodation in the region," Mr Bond said.
"We've added rooms and put a lot of money into this, but the last week or so has just been decimating."
Leeton Business Chamber will host a meeting in the near future to determine a way forward from the impact of COVID-19.
***