Regional Victoria's second COVID-19 lockdown could sound a death knell for a number of businesses in Port Campbell, Corangamite Shire mayor Neil Trotter fears.
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He said the news had hit hard, with many operators gearing up to welcome back visitors.
"Anyone catering for the international market was gearing up to cater to the domestic market and now that's been shut down too," Mr Trotter.
"There's no one coming from interstate and no one coming from Melbourne."
Cr Trotter said the lockdown was the biggest challenge businesses had ever faced.
"This is winding back the clock 30 years," Cr Trotter said.
"The winter trade used to fall right off and some businesses would close but that doesn't usually happen anymore."
Cr Trotter said some restaurants and cafes would offer takeaway food, but that would not make up for the loss of tourism trade.
He said he was concerned about the mental well-being of some of the business owners.
"It's a very hard road," Cr Trotter said.
"People are feeling pretty deflated.
"There's a lot of fear and angst and people really need to be looking out for each other."
Cr Trotter said a large number of business owners would be contemplating whether they could continue to operate.
"Since March businesses have been running well below their capacity."
Cr Trotter said business owners would be hoping people would be allowed to travel domestically when the six-week period finished.
At that time of the year Port Campbell is usually busy due to an influx of international tourists heading to the Great Ocean Road, he said.
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