The continuation of Jobkeeper at the current rate and support measures similar to the pandemic leave payment announced by the federal government will be required to assist Victorian businesses impacted by the state's second wave of COVID-19, the Accommodation Association says. 

With new restrictions for Melbourne and regional Victoria coming into effect this week, a range of businesses are expected to suffer significant losses or cease operations entirely as a result of the updated regulations. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has since announced the $1500 pandemic leave disaster payment for Victorians with no sick leave who are forced to self-isolate.

At a glance: 

• A host of Victorian businesses are expected to suffer significant losses or cease operations entirely as a result of the new pandemic restrictions implemented by the state government this week.
• Prime Minister Scott Morrison has since announced the $1500 pandemic leave disaster payment for Victorians with no sick leave who are forced to self-isolate.
• Accommodation Australia CEO Dean Long said there is a sense of "not again" from the state's hotel operators. 

Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long, who advocated strongly for the extension of the Jobkeeper subsidy announced last month, told WILLIAMS MEDIA while the latest support measure was "important first step", there needed to be assistance provided to all types of businesses going forward. 

"Victoria has been devastated at a rate not seen anywhere else in the country," he said. 

"We're hoping the positive overtures that were made by the Prime Minister yesterday will result in measures that will come through quickly and provide the support that is needed for employees.

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Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long. Source: Accommodation Association

"The removal of state government charges and payroll charges would be one way to help businesses get through.

"We don't need a small business-led recovery, we need an economy recovery."

The accommodation sector has been among the hardest hit by COVID-19, with research from AA conducted earlier in the year showing the industry experienced an 85 per cent ($3.6Bn) drop in revenue across the first 3 months of the pandemic period. 

Mr Long said there was a renewed feel of dread among Victorian operators following the state's fluctuating case rate.

"There is a strong sense of 'not again'," he said.

"Everyone is quite stressed about shutting down and what it means for their businesses.

"We know the longer this goes on, the harder it is for businesses to reopen.

"At the moment everyone is working hard to make sure we survive which is what we need to do." 

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