Everything that is now closed across Australia
Australia is drastically different since the prime minister announced all restaurants, clubs, bars and entertainment venues are to shut up shop.
Scott Morrison said the federal, state and territory governments will enforce tough new social distancing measures in a continued battle against the coronavirus following a special national cabinet meeting.
“We need all Australians to be following the health advice when it comes to keeping a healthy distance and observing the limits that relate to gatherings,” said Morrison. “Whether they be outdoor or whether they be indoor. This is incredibly important.
“The failure of our public to do that will put people at risk and make it extremely difficult for governments to be able to take actions that can control the flow and spread of the virus.”
From midday March 23, registered and licensed clubs, licensed premises in hotels and pubs, entertainment venues, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs, indoor sporting venues, gyms and places of worship closed across the country.
Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway only and shopping centres will remain open.
Morrison confirmed that these are stage one restrictions and will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
“As I have stressed and the Chief Medical Officer has stressed, and others have also, but once you start putting these sorts of arrangements in place we would have the expectation that they will remain in place for at least six months, if the health situation changes and enables us to reconsider those arrangements, then that can be reconsidered,” said Morrison.
The following facilities are closed as of midday local time on Monday March 23:
- Pubs, registered and licensed clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
- Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
- Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies).
Isolated remote community hubs are not included in these restrictions.