We responded quickly to the initial outbreak, with a $72.5 million support package to help groups in our community most in need who were not being helped by other levels of government, especially our creatives, vulnerable people and international students.
We contributed $2 million to OzHarvest and 60 other food charities to help ensure people had enough to eat. We provided 20,000 free reusable masks to vulnerable people.
For the hard-hit hospitality sector, we waived outdoor dining fees and relaxed restrictions, and for our creatives and small businesses we funded outdoor concerts and performances in cooperation with the State Government. We provided several rounds of grant programs to help businesses adapt and survive the pandemic.
We also worked urgently with the State Government to create more space for people walking, dining and riding, to ensure people could get into and around the city safely.
To help the City through the most recent lockdown, we have provided an additional $4 million in community, business and creative grants, as well as $8.9 million to help reactivate the CBD when the lockdown lifts.
