Foot traffic in the City of Melbourne has plummeted as people comply with stage four COVID-19 restrictions, with just 10 per cent of normal levels recorded yesterday (Thursday).
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the reduction in pedestrian traffic can be seen across the City of Melbourne’s network of more 60 pedestrian sensors.
“Pedestrian counts are down about 90 per cent compared to this time last year. The city hasn’t been this empty for this long in living memory,” the Lord Mayor said.
“As the lockdown changes were announced we saw the impact happening in real-time across the city.
“Since the stage four restrictions started, Melbourne’s streets have been almost deserted.
“This shows Melburnians are doing the right thing and staying home to help slow the spread of the virus.
“The city feels strange and unfamiliar as we all make sacrifices to keep our community safe.
“This is devastating for our business community and we know that trading conditions are going to continue to be challenging for some time. However, the sooner we can flatten these infection numbers by doing the right thing, the sooner we can help businesses open their doors again.
“Our Business Concierge Service has made more than 10,000 contacts with small businesses across the municipality. If you need information and support in relation to your business please contact the City of Melbourne.”
The City of Melbourne is investing $50 million in a COVID-19 response package to protect jobs and businesses. This includes rate and rent relief along with more than $5 million in direct grants to more than 1600 small to medium sized businesses.
The sensors are installed under awnings and light poles and count pedestrian traffic on the footpath below.
“Before the COVID-19 lockdown, up to one million people were moving around the City of Melbourne each day,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The sensor at Flinders Street Station underpass normally records more than 36,000 pedestrian counts a day. It’s currently recording around 3600 pedestrian counts. ”
Average pedestrian counts:
Sunday 2 August: down 79 per cent compared to the same time last year
Monday 3 August: down 87 per cent compared to the same time last year
Tuesday 4 August: down 87 per cent compared to the same time last year
Wednesday 5 August: down 87 per cent compared to the same time last year
Thursday 6 August: down 90 per cent compared to the same time last year.
Click here to visit the City of Melbourne’s pedestrian counting system.
/Public Release. View in full here.
