One of Australia's most popular Chinese restaurants has collapsed after customers abandoned the iconic eatery over coronavirus fears.

Parramatta Phoenix Chinese was placed into voluntary administration on Monday after steadily losing customers since the virus began to spread in January. 

The western Sydney yum cha staple is the only restaurant in the Phoenix Restaurant Group to collapse, with locations in Zetland, Rhodes, Sydney CBD and Brisbane still trading.

'The director has indicated in initial discussions that one of the factors in the fall in turnover of the restaurants is a reaction to the coronavirus,' voluntary administrator of Parramatta Phoenix Christopher Darin told news.com.au. 

a group of people standing in front of a crowd: Parramatta Phoenix Chinesae restaurant was placed into voluntary administration on Monday after losing clients in reaction to the coronavirus © Provided by Daily Mail Parramatta Phoenix Chinesae restaurant was placed into voluntary administration on Monday after losing clients in reaction to the coronavirus a store inside of a building: Business in Chinatown and other areas with a high Chinese population have been struggling for customers since the outbreak of the disease © Provided by Daily Mail Business in Chinatown and other areas with a high Chinese population have been struggling for customers since the outbreak of the disease

Another Asian restaurant, Mister Dee’s Kitchen in Darlinghurst has also gone into liquidation.

The once-bustling streets of Chinatown have been deserted as the virus continues to spread, with many businesses in areas with typically high Chinese population struggling for customers.

Pictures: COVID-19 outbreak

Parramatta Phoenix is not the first restaurant to go under after losing customers in the face of the disease, with Shark Fin House closing it's doors in February.

Fighting back tears, Co-owner Gabriel Chan told The Age the business had seen an 80 per cent drop off in customers and they had to lay off 40 permanent staff and 10 casuals.

a group of people standing in a room: The once bustling restaurant at Parramatta Phoenix has been reduced to empty tables © Provided by Daily Mail The once bustling restaurant at Parramatta Phoenix has been reduced to empty tables

Andrew Spring from insolvency firm Jirsch Sutherland said more businesses were going to suffer at the hands of the virus.

'No doubt there’s going to be some collateral damage,' he said. 'Even if things were to improve immediately, it’s still six weeks of pain businesses have to recover from, so I suspect we will see a lot of businesses that are going to have this as the actual reason (for going under).'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday said he'd met with Reserve Bank heads to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the economy.

'This is a health crisis not a financial crisis, but it is a health crisis with very significant economic implications,' Mr Morrison told parliament. 

Globally there have been more than 88,000 infections and 3000 deaths spanning 67 countries and regions.

a close up of a map: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia reached 33 on Monday March 2 © Provided by Daily Mail The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia reached 33 on Monday March 2

Share market in free fall, flights slashed to just $50 and supermarket shelves EMPTY: How the coronavirus epidemic is already hitting Australia hard 

With the world on the cusp of an unstoppable pandemic, experts warned every Australian could soon be struck down by the killer virus.

Families could soon see their supermarket bill balloon as worried households begin to stockpile food and medicines. 

As residents prepare for the epidemic to hit, there is already evidence of panicked stockpiling. 

a display in a store: Milk was one of the first things to go © Provided by Daily Mail Milk was one of the first things to go Oats and other basic food staples were in low supply © Provided by Daily Mail Oats and other basic food staples were in low supply

Shocking photos emerged showing Woolworths shelves stripped of medicine, toilet paper and food staples.

Customers were greeted with near empty aisles when they arrived at the supermarket giant's Bondi store in Sydney on Thursday night.

The grocery store appeared to be struggling to keep the shelves stocked with paracetamol, toilet paper, tea, milk, pasta, oats and rice crackers. 

a bunch of items that are on a shelf: Basic medical supplies, toilet paper and food staples are flying off the shelves as panicked shoppers stockpile goods amid growing fear around the coronavirus (pictured) © Provided by Daily Mail Basic medical supplies, toilet paper and food staples are flying off the shelves as panicked shoppers stockpile goods amid growing fear around the coronavirus (pictured)

The health emergency has seen stock markets plunge across the world, triggering fears of a global recession.

The Australian market on Monday closed down almost one per cent which was a vast improvement on the more than three per cent dive it took in earlier trading.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Monday urged people to stop shaking hands and instead pat others on the back in a bid to halt the coronavirus spread. 

'No hand-shaking,' he said. 'It's very automatic but don't do it.'

There are now 33 cases of the virus in Australia, including one death, with the first human-to-human transfer confirmed on Monday.

At Microsoft News Australia we've partnered with the giving platform Benevity to raise funds for UNICEF: Donate now and help health workers in the battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Coronavirus Health Information Line
Call 1800 020 080 if you are seeking information on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates Monday–Friday from 8am to 8pm, Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, and Sundays from 9am to 5pm. 

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article
TOPICS FOR YOU
undefined Next Story

Australia shares poised to open lower on coronavirus fears

Feedback

Did you find the story interesting?

Like us on Facebook to see similar stories


Send MSN Feedback

We appreciate your input!

Please give an overall site rating: