A Warrnambool accommodation provider has been forced to knock back a number of booking requests in the past few days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Steve Moore, owner of Warrnambool Holiday Park and Motel, said he had received a few calls from people living in areas affected by coronavirus stage four restrictions wanting to book accommodation.
"We had a few phone calls from workers from lockdown areas," Mr Moore said.
He said one person said they wanted to visit the city to work as a painter - a request Mr Moore knocked back.
"We've had to say no to a few inquiries from people in the lockdown areas because they're not essential workers," Mr Moore said.
However he fears unregulated accommodation providers desperate for money may accept these bookings.
"We've said no, but what if others say yes?"
Mr Moore said he wanted all accommodation providers, including Airbnbs to be governed by the same rules.
Otherwise the future of businesses would be put in jeopardy, he said.
"If they followed the same rules as us there would be no issue."
Mr Moore said some accommodation providers did not have to follow the same regulations or pay commercial rates.
"It's the mum and dad businesses that will suffer," Mr Moore said.
He said he was disappointed regional Victoria was once again going into lockdown.
Mr Moore said he believed 2020 would be a "wasted year".
He is hopeful people will choose to travel domestically when they can.
Cape Bridgewater Sea View Lodge manager Dennis Carr said he was disappointed he would have to close the doors again.
He said he knew it was necessary, but it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Mr Carr said he had experienced a busy few months since reopening.
He hopes there will be a large number of people who decide to explore the state when the restrictions end because October and November were traditionally busy due to an influx of international guests.
Mr Carr encouraged people to reach out to business owners during this trying time to ensure they were coping.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
