‘Things didn’t go to plan’: Melbourne CBD a stranger under coronavirus

It was a fine April day but Sarah Pezzino was worried about the pigeons and seagulls in the usually crowded but now almost empty forecourt of the State Library of Victoria.

‘‘I was thinking they’re probably starving because no one is feeding them,’’ she said.

Crowds missing: Flinders Street Station on Thursday morning.Credit:Joe Armao

For the birds, as for Ms Pezzino and millions of other people, life is not the same as it was a mere month ago.

In general in the CBD on Thursday, a sense of unease pervaded familiar streets.

Gone were the morning hordes rushing under the clocks at Flinders Street Station.

Instead, a homeless man sat undisturbed.

Young and Jackson’s pub opposite was closed ‘‘for a while’’, said a sign, assuring drinkers that management ‘‘can’t wait to welcome our locals back for a beer’’.

St Paul’s Cathedral? Closed. Pellegrini’s Cafe in Bourke Street? Closed.

In Bourke Street Mall, there seemed to be more fluoro vest-clad council workers – sanitising bins and railings – than members of the public.

Benchmark: workers sanitising Bourke Street Mall benches in front of a closed Myer store.Credit:Joe Armao

Outside the GPO, accountant and auditor Ryan Krugel, 44, of North Melbourne, was taking a tram to his office further west on Bourke Street.

He has recently been among just 10 people in his 18-storey building that usually holds 2000.

He said, ‘‘you get a lot of work done,’’ but he misses the human interaction.

Deserted: Melbourne Central and its shot tower.Credit:Joe Armao

Perhaps the most sobering ‘‘then and now’’ CBD scene was at Melbourne Central shopping centre, whose Shot Tower forecourt is usually heaving with foreign students and funky clothes racks.

Instead it was deserted and masked salespeople peered from empty nearby shoe and mobile phone stores.

But most stores were closed.

In tourist hotspot Hosier Lane, of Flinders Street, a poignant street art piece depicted a wide eyed young woman wearing a face mask. But there were no tourists.

Street art in a tourist-free Hosier Lane.Credit:Joe Armao

Homeless man Scott Spencer, 35, came to charity Youth Projects’ outdoor triage service halfway up the lane, which is acting as a lifeline for the disadvantaged.

Mr Spencer sought help to get income because he’s from New Zealand and isn’t entitled to Australian welfare benefits.

He was feeling, ‘‘depressed’’ but was not frightened of getting coronavirus.

''You've got to carry on,'' he said.

Different world: Sarah Pezzino takes a break in front of the closed State Library of Victoria.Credit:Joe Armao

‘‘Things didn’t go to plan, but that’s life,’’ she said.

She feels lucky she can cover her expenses through teaching English.

‘‘I’m not getting anywhere in life,'' she said ruefully. "But I can survive, so it’s good.’’

If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue's coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348.

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