Trading will resume for the first time in almost a week at the shopping center that was the scene of Australia’s worst mass shooting in years.
Customers will return to the normally bustling Westfield Bondi Junction, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, after 40-year-old Joel Cauchi was stabbed, killing six and injuring many more.
The Queensland man, who had a long history of mental illness, was shot dead by police inside the shopping complex.
Six people remain in Sydney hospitals.
The center will have an increased police and security presence and mental health counseling and support services on site.
Bernie Smith of the New South Wales retail union said many employees are returning for the first time since they sought shelter in warehouses and administrative offices during the attack.
He warned buyers to treat the workers with care and sensitivity, and advised against re-traumatizing them by investigating details about the attack.
Westfield Bondi Junction reopened its doors on Thursday morning so members of the community could pay their respects. The shopping center will officially open on Friday
Mental health support workers will be available at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre.
“It’s going to be a pretty challenging day for a lot of people,” he told ABC.
‘If you are in those stores, you should acknowledge what happened, but not re-traumatize the workers by asking them what happened that day.
“Our members need to be able to get back to work calmly and smoothly.”
The union will ensure all staff receive their full pay, despite stores being closed this week.
Hundreds of people gathered downtown Thursday to pay their respects to those affected by Saturday’s attack.
A solemn crowd formed to leave condolences and bouquets of flowers.
Hazel Stein said she felt sorry for the six families who were left without their loved ones.
“It could have been any of us,” he said.
“It’s very sad and meaningless… hard to believe.”
Hundreds of people gathered downtown Thursday to pay their respects to those affected by Saturday’s attack.
A grim-faced Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, described the day as “the first step towards healing.”
“It’s not back to normal for Sydney, but this is an opportunity to grieve some form and turn the page on what has been a very difficult period,” Mr Minns said.
“We are a community that can stay together in difficult periods and demonstrate that pain is universal when it is felt by a family, by an individual.”
He has indicated stricter knife laws would be considered after the stabbing and separate attack at a western Sydney church.
A candlelight vigil will be held on nearby Bondi Beach on Sunday night, with a minute’s silence to honor the victims.