Businesses count costs, fearing Victoria’s snap lockdown will last longer than five days

Businesses in inner Melbourne say they are reeling after the loss of what was expected to be a bumper weekend’s trade during Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year and the Australian Open.

Instead, florists, retailers and hospitality businesses are tallying up their losses and throwing out stock.

Rose Gibaldi from cafe-restaurant Stuzzichino, in Carlton’s normally busy Lygon Street, said after a quiet weekend there had only been a handful of customers during the morning.

She said the usual…