The national employer association Ai Group has today released the latest in its series of monthly reports on Australia's business experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, up to September 2020.
Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said: "Only 15% of businesses told us they were not affected in some way by COVID-19 in August. The 85% of businesses impacted by the pandemic is higher than in June and July, reflecting the national drag on the economy related to the Victorian lockdown and the renewed difficulties with interstate movement.
"The Melbourne lock down is affecting demand in Victoria and this is cascading across the Australian economy. Markets and supply chains aren't confined to single states and, while not locked down themselves, the inability for non-Victorian companies to conduct usual business or access key suppliers and customers is hurting companies of all sizes.
"The hoped-for lifting of further restrictions in Victoria on Sunday cannot come soon enough. The relaxation of border restrictions elsewhere will also have a positive affect but, with the success in reducing new cases, most states need to pick up pace of reopening to help hasten the recovery of employment and activity," Mr Willox said.
The full report is available at this link.
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