Petrol Stations in Italy will begin to close from Wednesday 25 March in a worrying sign for the country which has been hit hard by the Coronavirus outbreak.
The closures are in protest over lack of government aid in the face of much-reduced demand for fuel due to the travel restrictions put in place by the government. This is a worrying sign for Australian petrol station retailers worried about the lack of support from their government. Stimulus packages released by the Australian Government are supposed to relieve the pressure felt by small business, but petrol retailers are unsure if they will be covered under such a package. These business owners need help now.
Petrol Stations in Australia have been classed as an ‘essential service’ and are allowed to stay open under tough new restrictions. This brings with it, exposure for staff to coronavirus as they work on the front line. To stay open petrol station owners need help with operational costs to continue to keep their businesses open. If not, they may have to make the tough decision like their Italian counterparts to close the doors.
An Italian Petrol Station operator said, “We, alone, are no longer in a position to ensure neither the necessary level of health safety, nor the economic sustainability of the service. As a result, the refuelling systems will simply begin to close: from Wednesday night those on the motorway network, including junctions and ring roads; and, gradually, all the others also along the ordinary roads.”
Italy’s petrol stations will start to close down because of the coronavirus epidemic, with pumps on the countries motorway network shutting as of Wednesday evening.