NSW and Victoria are shutting down non-essential services and activities over the next 48 hours.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said the NSW shutdown would not include supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home deliveries among other services.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced a similar shutdown and is bringing forward school holidays to start Tuesday, with a decision on whether schools will reopen to be taken on medical advice.
Andrews said the shutdown decision was not taken lightly but “it’s clear that if we don’t take this step, more Victorians will contract coronavirus, our hospitals will be overwhelmed and more Victorians will die”.
Meanwhile, Australian government has decided to temporarily widen eligibility for income support and give a new short term “coronavirus supplement” of $550 a fortnight.
Similarly, South Australia is closing its border from 4 pm Tuesday, establishing 12 border crossings, and requiring travellers to sign a declaration to self-isolate for a fortnight.
Western Australia also announced a closure with Premier Mark McGowan saying the controls “will apply to all access points, roads, air, rail and sea. Unless exempted, arrivals from interstate will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days”.
Tasmania and the Northern Territory have already acted on their borders.
