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With metropolitan Melbourne re-entering lockdown overnight for a minimum of six weeks Premier Investments (ASX: PMV) has made the decision to close down stores.
The closures will impact stores operated by Premier Investments like Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Smiggle and more in 36 shopping centres and seven strip mall locations, but regional Victorian stores will not be impacted.
The company has stressed that it does not intend to pay rent in relation to any of the stores affected by the lockdown for its duration, mirroring the approach the company took during nationwide COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year.
In a statement Premier Investments says the decision was made to protect the health and safety of staff and customers.
"The Premier [Daniel Andrews] has made clear that the livelihoods of all Victorians relies on everyone doing the right thing," says Premier Investments.
"As loved as our brands are by our customers, they are clearly not an essential service.
"Therefore to ensure we adhere with the State Government's direction and protect the health and safety of our staff and customers, we have made the decision to close all of our Melbourne metropolitan stores in line with the Government's direction at 11.59pm tonight for the foreseeable future."
Melbourne-based customers can continue to shop online across all of Premier Investments brands.
All affected staff members eligible for JobKeeper will be stood down, and team members will be able to access their annual leave or long service leave entitlements.
Updated at 1:51pm AEST on 9 July 2020.
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