Struggling hairdresser in lockdown seeking financial help from the government is 'gobsmacked' when told to try meditation and take a mindfulness course
- Melbourne sole trader Joanne Fuller rang Business Victoria for financial help
- But she was directed to a mindfulness course to help improve mental health
- Ms Fuller said she was left 'gobsmacked' because it didn't help pay her bills
- Sole traders can apply for $1,000 a week from the federal government
Sole trader Joanne Fuller from Melbourne
A self-employed hairdresser has been left 'gobsmacked' after the Victorian government offered her advice on how to meditate when she was seeking business support.
Sole trader Joanne Fuller, from Knox in Melbourne's east, rang Business Victoria to see what financial help was available while the Covid-19 lockdown prevents her from working.
But instead of being guided through financial support, she was spoken to by a 'micro business concierge' who directed her to a free 'mindfulness programme' online.
Mindfulness is a mental health technique to reduce stress that has its roots in Buddhist meditation.
Ms Fuller told broadcaster Neil Mitchell on Melbourne radio 3AW that she was left 'gobsmacked' by the advice.
'I thought that was to direct me to the right channels to access small business Covid support but instead it was advice and how to get through the day,' she said.
'I got some advice on how to get a free online mindfulness program and a small business adaption program on basically how to promote my business.'
Ms Fuller described the help as 'totally useless to me'.
'I've got a tax bill here, I've got a mortgage to pay. None of that is going to help me,' she said.
Direct cash support for sole traders is being offered by the Federal Government.
Those eligible can get $1,000 a week after applying via Services Australia.
People exercise along the Tan walking track in Melbourne during lockdown on Tuesday
The Federal and Victorian governments have announced a jointly funded $400million support package for business, including grants worth between $5,000 and $20,000
It comes as Melbourne's sixth Covid-19 lockdown is set to be extended until at least early next week after Victoria recorded 20 new cases of the virus on Tuesday.
The snap seven-day lockdown in Greater Melbourne was scheduled to end at 8pm on Thursday.
But Premier Daniel Andrews is expected on Wednesday to announce he is extending the lockdown until at least the beginning of next week, The Herald Sun reported.
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Only five of Victoria's 20 new local cases on Tuesday were self-isolating throughout their infectious period.
Caroline Springs in Melbourne's north-west remains the biggest area of concern, with half of the latest cases linked to an outbreak in the suburb.
The Caroline Springs Square shopping centre is now linked to 25 Covid-19 infections.
Melbourne's sixth Covid-19 lockdown is set to be extended until the beginning of next week. Pictured is the entrance to a vaccination centre at the city's Royal Exhibition Building
Late on Tuesday night the state's health department said a confirmed case of Covid-19 had been found to be connected to an inner-north Melbourne paediatric specialist clinic.
The department said it was investigating 'a potential exposure at private medical rooms' at 48 Flemington Road in Parkville on August 9 with investigations underway into that person's movements.
However, it was not confirmed whether the case worked at the clinic or was a patient.
Regional Victoria was released from its lockdown at midnight on Monday, but Greater Melbourne remains under stay-at-home rules until at least 8pm Thursday.
Authorities have so far not ruled out an extension to the lockdown, with Health Minister Martin Foley saying decisions were being made on an 'hour-by-hour basis'.
Pedestrians are pictured walking along Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD
Two big Victorian events were cancelled on Tuesday - the AFL Grand Final Parade and the Avalon Airshow.
The exposure site list grew to more than 270, including a second housing tower in Flemington.
Victorian Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar refused to comment on whether the lockdown will be extended.
'It is really a day- to-day proposition as each, and sometimes an hour to hour proposition' Mr Weimar told reporters.
Almost 35,000 Victorians came forward for testing on Monday while 22,670 rolled up their sleeves for the Covid vaccine.
Health officials welcomed a three-fold increase in first doses administered when compared this time a week ago as the state ramps up its vaccination efforts.
'I think that ... is strong emphasis [that] young people, in particular under 39, want to get vaccinated,' Mr Foley said.
Health officials are concerned about Caroline Springs in Melbourne's north-west where 25 cases linked with the Caroline Springs Square shopping centre (pictured)
'Clearly, young people have assessed their personal situation in a strong and informed manner and many have determined that there are significant risks to remaining unvaccinated during a Delta outbreak.'
One third of Victoria's 330,000 vaccine appointments booked in over the next month are AstraZeneca, which 2,366 Victorians opted to receive on Monday with ages 18-39 now eligible to get the jab.
'What it does reflect is a growing preparedness by Victorians, in the context of the Delta outbreak, to take the best available vaccine,' Mr Foley said.
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