Running a small business isn't easy at the best of times - in light of new regulations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 it can be nearly impossible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shoalhaven business owners say they are trying to balance government regulations with health concerns and the needs of their staff and customers.
The balancing act isn't an easy one. Philip de Pulford, of Hyper Hyper cafe says they are taking each day as it comes.
"At the moment we're open with reduced staff," he said on Wednesday, March 25.
"We're following the guidelines closely and we've put chalk markings on the pavement to show people how far away from one another they should line up.
"We have thought about closing - I don't think anyone is complacent. If the situation changes or there's suddenly a large queue we can't control we will have to shut down."
Owner of Kemp's Mixed Martial Arts gym, Richard Kemp, has shut his doors, and moved as much of his business as possible online.
"We're providing fitness workouts, technique work and our [martial arts] syllabus," he said.
"We pulled it together in 24 hours after the new regulations were announced, and people can sign up for online memberships.
"My main priority was finding a way to make sure my staff member still gets paid. He's done so much work, I've worked my arse off to get to the point where I can give him extra hours and then we get hit with this."
Mr Kemp said a wage subsidy would be the best way for the government to help businesses keep employees through the crisis.
But not all can go online. Pelican Rocks Cafe at Greenwell Point announced it would close on Tuesday night.
Manager Sam Cardow said trade started to slow on Thursday and Friday before slowing to a trickle by Tuesday.
"I spoke to the staff and asked if they were comfortable working, I didn't want to put any staff in danger of getting it or taking it home to their families," he said.
"Some staff have kids they want to keep home from school. After talking to staff and weighing up options we decided to pull the pin until further notice, because everyone was allowed to go and get Centrelink.
"Our staff have said they're 100 per cent committed and I've said they can walk straight back into their jobs when this is over."
Personal trainer Todd Burgess said small businesses often don't have the option of a temporary shut-down.
"We're not getting big grants and funding, we can't skip out on a loan or put a loan on pause," he said.
"We use our income every week to pay our bills."
He has also moved much of his business online, and said those who can't afford online membership fees can still support their favourite small business by promoting them on social media or making one-off purchases.
"If a business can't produce as much money, free marketing and awareness on social media helps," he said.
"For my business in particular, any purchase of Friskystyle apparel helps me keep going until I can get back to my regular income."
Mr de Pulford agreed.
"If we can put things on Facebook and Instagram that make people smile and keep sending out our beans online, that's all well and good," he said.
"It's not as if it's about profit - there's no profitable outcome from this."
If you are open for business please let us know your details using the form below.