'We are on the cusp of something that will get quite severe': business sector gripped by COVID-19

Workers at a range of businesses are now self-isolating and trying to get tested after exposures, but are facing huge delays for results that are flowing through to industry outcomes.

Echuca Moama Business 2 Business spokesman Dan Egglestone said the rush of visitors in the past few weeks was so large that food home delivery services had become impossible for a period because the roads were so crowded.

Read more: Bendigo Health coronavirus testing clinic overwhelmed

"The town was pumping over the break and you couldn't get across the bridge to do deliveries, so everything was via pick-up only,'' he said.

"But since Tuesday the town has really died down and we are seeing the flow on effect of having so many visitors from different areas.

"It's gone from not knowing anybody who's had COVID to knowing a few people who have COVID. And others who are isolating and waiting on test results.

"We have only one drive-through testing centre and you are looking at a five-day turnaround for results."

Rochester Business Network president Glenda Nichol said shops in her town were open but she felt they were at the beginning of a new and difficult phase.

"I think we are on the cusp of something that will get quite severe,'' she said.

"I think there will be a significant impact on businesses. I haven't noticed it happening yet but I think it will very soon. At our business for instance - we have 30 staff and four of them are not at work today because they are waiting on COVID-19 test results."

Related news: Bendigo Health calls for patience in coronavirus testing queues

Ms Nichol has a fertiliser and transport business, Nichol Trading, which enters its busy season in February.

"For us January is quiet time but if you are in hospitality or retail you would be experiencing very different peak-times - perhaps weekends or midweek," she said.

"Having four out of 30 staff not in attendance for us at the moment is not having a great impact yet but it's a sign that things will become more difficult soon. "

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