Melbourne business owners say they fear they will never reopen after they were forced to close their doors as Victoria begins its seven-day lockdown.
Hundreds of non-essential businesses have been barred from trading since midnight and will not be allowed to reopen until restrictions are lifted next Thursday.
The state was plunged into its fourth lockdown as health authorities scramble to contain an outbreak of the Indian variant of Covid-19 in Melbourne's north, which has already spread to 26 people. 
Residents have been told they can only leave home for five essential reasons while only essential shops, like supermarkets and pharmacies, have been allowed to remain open.
Small Business Australia forecasts $1 billion in revenue will be lost because of the restrictions, while business owners fear they may never reopen their doors.
Real Dinosaurs director Lisa Forde appeared on Channel Nine's Today where she revealed her business was already 'battling from week to week trying to survive'.

















Hundreds of non-essential businesses have been barred from trading since midnight and will not be allowed to reopen until restrictions are lifted on Thursday (pictured, an empty Melbourne hours before lockdown began)

The dinosaur hire company caters to birthday parties, functions and corporate events and relies on bookings to pay its workers and keep its business afloat.
A teary-eyed Ms Forde told the morning show the company had already survived the first three lockdowns, but would struggle to keep afloat the other end of the fourth.
'I don't know how to explain it,' she said.

'We were in this whole lockdown for so long here in Victoria, then we finally got up on board again in April, which we thought was great. 
'We have a big tour coming up in Queensland in June and July. If we can't get through that, I think the dinosaurs will become extinct.' 
Ms Forde described the latest lockdown as 'heart-wrenching' and said vital business was being lost.





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'We've lost six jobs over the weekend that we may not get back again,' she said.
'That was money and income and cash flow to keep the businesses going.' 
While cafes and restaurants have been allowed to stay open for takeaway orders the restrictions have forced the venues to drop their casual staff as they prepare for much quieter trading hours.  
Melissa Glentis runs two cafes in Melbourne and said she expected to lose $50,000 during the lockdown.







Healthcare workers are seen at the Albert Park Covid-19 testing facility in Melbourne on Thursday