Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor Rob Gersch says seeing some shops and restaurants close their doors "has been "quite eerie" and he held concerns for businesses long-term.
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"Naturally our health comes first but it does worry me that our economy is on the line," he said.
"There are even notices on the solicitor's door saying that they are closed but that people can call."
Cr Gersch said the border closure with South Australia had "effectively cancelled" the Overland service.
"It would have gone at the end of the month but now it's been cancelled for other reasons," he said. "Hopefully it will all pass soon."
On communication about the virus
Cr Gersch said most people seemed to understand the message but more needed to be done to prevent the spread and ensure everyone was properly informed.
"I believe what people have to do has to be guided by health people," he said. "It is very hard to understand but the old Aussie attitude of 'she'll be right' needs to be cut through.
We need to cut through laid back attitudes to make sure we don't get to the stage where Italy is."
On council operations
Cr Gersch said management has been meeting every day but all customer services had been moved to contact by phone and online with offices closed to the public.
"We are keeping our offices clean but some staff are working from home," he said. "We are monitoring things day to day but all our outdoor staff are still working the same at this stage."
Cr Gersch said council would push the budget back and would review the due date of rates.
"We had a meeting the other day," he said. "Rates are not due until May.
"Fortunately farmers have had a good year but small businesses have had many struggles."
"We haven't made any decisions but Council is aware of it and it is being monitored.
Cr Gersch said it was important to continue home help services so that vulnerable people had contact.
"There are complications to the service but there are people that could be on their own."
On communication with other councils
Cr Gersch said that the Wimmera councils were "talking constantly".
"We need to be together on the same wavelength," he said. "If one of us has a problem everyone else is aware of it."
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Eliza Berlage
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
