Bachelor star Elora Murger reveals her frustration at the simple rule which is preventing her from getting stimulus relief for her small cafe amid the coronavirus pandemic
Elora Murger has revealed she could be forced to close her doors forever due to a rule that makes her ineligible for the government stimulus package.
The former Bachelor star took to Instagram on Sunday, airing her frustration over not getting any government support during the coronavirus pandemic.
‘My face when I find out my cafe does not qualify for government help as I have not lived in Australia more than ten years,’ Elora wrote.
Rules: Bachelor star Elora Murger, 29, (pictured) has revealed her anguish at the simple rule which is preventing her from getting stimulus relief for her small cafe in Mooloolaba
She went on to say she is a sole trader, married to an Australian, lives in Australia and pays tax – and is seemingly frustrated by the fact she still can’t get support.
It comes after the businesswoman said she was forced to close her Mooloolaba café, The Rusty Batch, last month amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite opening just four months ago, she decided it was best for locals, her family and her mother visiting from France to cease trading for the time being.
Ineligible: ‘My face when I find out my cafe does not qualify for government help as I have not lived in Australia more than ten years,’ Elora wrote
The 29-year-old businesswoman told Daily Mail Australia she felt ‘at risk’ staying open because some customers didn’t appear to be taking COVID-19 seriously.
‘To be honest, a lot of them [customers] weren’t taking this seriously, unfortunately,’ she said.
‘This is why I feel like I’m at risk here, because a lot of people are saying, “Nah, it’s just a flu.” But now people are starting to really worry about it.’
Troubles: It comes after the businesswoman said she was forced to close her café, The Rusty Batch, last month amid the coronavirus pandemic
Elora rose to fame on Matthew Johnson’s season of The Bachelor in 2017 before appearing on Bachelor in Paradise in 2018 and 2019.
She said the reality of coronavirus didn’t hit home for many locals until an event at Noosa restaurant Sails was linked to 30 confirmed cases.
The Australian government hasn’t yet forced restaurants and cafés to close, but they have been made to shut their dining areas and can only offer takeaway.
Decisions: The 29-year-old businesswoman told Daily Mail Australia she felt ‘at risk’ staying open because some customers didn’t appear to be taking COVID-19 seriously.
These restrictions resulted in a 90 per cent drop in revenue for Elora’s café.
She said of her decision to close The Rusty Batch: ‘I felt like a bit of a hypocrite staying open as it’s almost allowing people to walk around.
‘I know that we all have to survive, but I think the government should be taking responsibility and forcing us to close down instead of staying open because somebody wants takeaway coffee.’
Familiar face: Elora rose to fame on Matthew Johnson’s season of The Bachelor in 2017 before appearing on Bachelor in Paradise in 2018 and 2019
The Australian government has rolled out a $189billion package in support of business, low-income earners and the economy.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was acting to cushion the blow from the coronavirus for businesses and households.
As of April 19, there have been 6,568 diagnosed cases of coronavirus in the country with 70 deaths attributed to the illness.
Toll: As of April 19, there have been 6,568 diagnosed cases of coronavirus with 70 deaths attributed to the illness