Queensland Businesses Impacted By Covid-19 Ask for More Resources To Support Mental Health
Confronting data has shown that mental health challenges caused by the impact of covid-19 has affected over half of Queensland business owners and their staff.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) revealed that close to 63% of businesses surveyed by CCIQ stated that mental health challenges due to covid-19 impacts had affected them and their staff. This response rate had increased up from 45 percent when compared to the figures published in July 2021.
“The financial and emotional impact of business restrictions, mandates, low consumer confidence, supply chain disruptions and staff availability mean businesses have little optimism to see them through,” says CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan.
“Many businesses are on their knees, and some have told us the Omicron wave has caused them more financial and emotional harm than the original COVID economic impact in Queensland in 2020. These businesses are desperate to know what’s next and what it will take for them to be able to recover long-term,” continued Ms. Rohan.
The Queensland State Opposition has also expressed their desire for the Queensland Government to provide some kind of support to help businesses decimated by the latest Omicron wave, suggesting a fresh round of vouchers would be appropriate and extremely helpful for struggling businesses.
The State Opposition has also called on the Queensland Government to provide some kind of support to help businesses decimated by the latest Omicron wave, suggesting a fresh round of vouchers would suffice.
“On the Gold Coast, in Brisbane’s CBD, businesses are closing their doors and Queenslanders are losing their jobs. The State Government should be providing measures like voucher systems as NSW has done, but unfortunately all we have seen from the Queensland Government is silence,” says Shadow Small Business Minister Brent Mickelberg.
NSW Parents of School Children Can Access $250 To Spend on Entertainment
The NSW Government is offering $250 to parents of school aged children to spend on recreation and entertainment.
From Monday 7th February, parents and guardians of school-aged children in NSW will be able to apply for the vouchers.
Each household with a child enrolled in school in 2021 will be eligible to apply for the five $50 vouchers through the Service NSW app as a “thank you” for their efforts in home-schooling during the states Covid-19 lockdown.
The vouchers have been brought forward by one month and can be spent on accommodation, entertainment and recreational activities, such as the cinema or zoo, until October 2022.
NSW Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello is encouraging parents to make the most of the vouchers.
“We‘re encouraging parents and all adults in NSW to take advantage of these various vouchers because they are so good in helping to stimulate the economy. And ultimately helping in particular small businesses that have done it so really really hard over the last few years,” says Victor Dominello.
Up to one million NSW families will benefit from the vouchers and can be used seven days a week, including public holidays.
In addition, travel vouchers in the Stay NSW scheme will be available from February 21 allowing all residents over 18 to apply for one $50 voucher to use at registered accommodation across the state.
As of Monday 7th February, daily covid-19 cases recorded in NSW are at the lowest level since the Christmas period. Furthermore, hospitalisations and ICU admissions also continue to ease from the staggering Omicron peak in mid-January.
