'Come out, don't be scared': Victorians urged to get behind Chinese restaurants
Prominent Chinese-Australians are urging Victorians to return to Chinese restaurants abandoned since the coronavirus outbreak, just as they have been asked to take empty Eskies to the state's bushfire-hit regions.
Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing said seeing so many Asian restaurants empty and on the brink of closing was really confronting.
"We're asking people to visit bushfire affected communities. It's absolutely crucial that we enable businesses that provide the most amazing multicultural and culinary and sensory experience for Melbourne to continue to do what they do best by supporting them," Ms Shing said.
"The food doesn't stop being just as delicious, and the experience doesn't stop being just as vibrant."
Customers returned in droves to Shark Fin Inn on Thursday after The Age revealed it was at risk of closing. Credit:Wayne Taylor
Rosana Brydon was among dozens of people who returned to Chinatown's Shark Fin Inn on Thursday.
"We don’t want them to close," she said.
The red and black dining room at Shark Fin Inn was groaning after The Age revealed it was at risk of closing, like its sister venue, Shark Fin House.
The restaurant's foyer was crammed with customers waiting to be seated.
Bee Teow booked a table for her colleagues after reading about Shark Fin Inn's plight in The Age.Credit:Wayne Taylor
Bee Teow, the chief executive at Australian Tourism Management, managed to book a large table for her co-workers to share their favourite pork buns and prawn Har Gow dumplings.
"We feel for them and we’re here to show support," Ms Teow said. "We decided to book a table and bring the office here to boost morale."
Chinese restaurants across the state, particularly in Chinatown and Box Hill, have been struggling since the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the strict quarantine measures in Australia and the China travel ban, Victorians have been avoiding Asian restaurants, businesses and shops.
"Come out, don't be scared. You would do it every day, don't stop doing it," said Chinatown Precinct Association president Danny Doon.
"[The coronavirus situation] will go on for a little while, but businesses are very worried about their livelihood - they need to pay for staff, rent. That is scary."
Finance worker Luke Silk, 55, was sitting down to a plate of hot dumplings at Shark Fin Inn on Thursday afternoon.
"I come here and eat the yum cha by myself and whiz back to work, I come here all the time," he said.
"To the people who are scared ... I say 'get over here!'"