Hospitality businesses have again shut up shop, turned to takeaway, and thrown out food, in a frustrating fifth lockdown.
While Bendigo business owners said they were better prepared this time and had been able to adapt straight away, they feared another lockdown could break many businesses.
Simr Cafe Manager Grace Blakemore said the business was just starting to get back on its feet when the latest lockdown set them back again.
"It's very much sink or swim," she said.
The cafe manager said that in some ways this lockdown was easier because the business had been through it before, so there was no confusion about what staff and the business needed do.
But she said it was still taking a toll.
Empty shops and streets
"It's heartbreaking," Ms Blakemore said.
"The customers who're coming in, they're so supportive. But you can just tell everyone's so deflated and we're just hanging on."
Bendigo Cafe owner Elisha Bahen said trying to sell and move stock that would otherwise go in the bin was one of the biggest challenges.
"We've adjusted the business so we can turn things around pretty quickly," she says.
"But there'd still be a few thousand dollars' worth of food that will go to waste."
Ms Bahen said the community support had been amazing.
Ray Sharawarra, the Shamrock Hotel owner and an Executive board member of the Australian Hotels Association, said this fifth lockdown was no easier for hospitality businesses.
"It means zero money, but the rent, rates and insurances are still there."
Mr Sharawarra said he understood hospitality venues had to close and did not disagree with the health advice.
But he said he was losing thousands of dollars by the day, and was eagerly awaiting financial assistance from the government.
"Especially for our staff. They've got mortgages, car repayments … we'll take all we can get."
Cafes for Covid
Bridget Bentley, the manager of Bendigo Foodshare, said it was business as usual at Central Victoria's biggest food relief operation.
She urged businesses to consider donating produce for food relief instead of throwing it in the bin.
Bendigo Foodshare has been running a state government funded initiative called Cafes for Covid for 12 months.
Cafes for Covid sees local hospitality businesses donate their services to cook takeaway home meals with leftover produce for people experiencing food insecurity.
Over the last year, 30 Central Victorian businesses had helped make 12,500 meals.
Foodshare is now calling for local businesses to get involved to help distribute 6000 meals to rural communities over the next few months.
