From midday, pubs and entertainment venues will close across the country. This part of the government’s bid to enforce strict social-distancing guidelines amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“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,” Scott Morrison shares.

“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 this virus.”

These new laws will affect the licensed premises in hotels and pubs, entertainment venues, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs, indoor sporting venues, gyms, and places of worship. Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway only, with shopping centres remaining open.

Scott Morrison has confirmed that the implementation of these laws 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 should have the expectation that they will remain in place for at least six months,” he shared. “If the health situation changes and enables us to reconsider those arrangements, then that can be reconsidered.”
As of publication, schools are set to remain open.

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