Melbourne entertainment venues, eateries transformed amid shutdown

Deserted public spaces, roped-off restaurants and warning signs are now the new normal after Victoria’s shutdown began. This is how it unfolded around the city. SEE THE PICTURES

Thousands of Melbourne venues have shuttered their doors and closed down after Victoria’s strict shutdown began at midday yesterday.

Crown casino was transformed into a ghost town, while pubs and other licensed venues fell silent.

Gyms and cinemas were locked up, while cafes and restaurants have been limited to only serve takeaway food and beverages.

These are snapshots of Melbourne’s new normal as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold.

Follow the Herald Sun’s latest coronavirus coverage here.

Michael Hill jewellery stores, including this one at Essendon DFO, are closing indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Ian Currie

Essendon DFO is bare of customers. Picture: Ian Currie

A Michael Hill store at Westfield Airport West with its shutters closed. Picture: Ian Currie

Just a few cars parked at the Essendon DFO carpark. Picture: Ian Currie

Outdoor dining areas are taped off in Melbourne after the shutdown began. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

A public space was deserted at lunchtime outside Crown casino. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

A restaurant is chained off after eateries were forced to shut. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Venues across Melbourne were transformed into ghost towns. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

South Wharf’s Boatbuilders Yard was among the venues affected. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Hospitality workers have been stood down amid closures. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Massive fines will be issued to businesses that flout the bans Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Dean of Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral Heather Patacca prepares to go online during the crisis. Picture: Mark Stewart

A shopper takes her groceries home on the deserted streets of Preston. Picture: AAP Image/Stefan Postles

A woman wearing a face mask outside Flinders Street station. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

The Harold Holt swimming pool lies empty after the closure. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Covers were placed over the Glen Iris pool following a directive from the Australian government. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Sports equipment is seen left outside at a primary school in Melbourne's inner north after school holidays were brought forward. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

A member of the public is seen wearing gloves while leaving a cafe in Brunswick on Tuesday morning. Picture: AAP Image/Stefan Postles

Empty table and chairs are seen as restaurants close their businesses on Monday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

A general view of an empty entrance outside Crown casino. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

The landmark Astor Theatre closed it doors. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Tables and chairs are packed away at the Notting Hill Hotel in Melbourne’s southeast. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Restaurant owner Nalin Jayaweera sits in the dark at his restaurant, Shavans Pinewood, in Mt Waverley. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

An empty beer garden at the Notting Hill Hotel. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Notting Hill Hotel workers shift an outdoor foosball table as they prepare to close the pub. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A man looks on at a closed entrance inside Melbourne’s Crown casino. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Thousands of workers have been affected by the sweeping bans. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A security guard patrols a closed entrance in Crown casino. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Bottles of alcohol are cleared out from an eatery’s fridge. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A deserted beer garden at the Notting Hill Hotel. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Eateries can only offer takeaway under the new laws. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Notting Hill Hotel staff clear out outdoor furniture. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A sign at the front of The Muscle City Gym in Mount Waverley advising of its temporary closure. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A barista at the Corner Table cafe in Mount Waverley makes a takeaway coffee. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Chairs are removed from a food court in Crown Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Exercise equipment at an empty Mount Waverley gym. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Cafe owner Brendan Leeds prepares a grocery box for local residents. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Mount Waverley’s Corner Table cafe is offering takeaway and groceries. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A bar manager clears out a bar fridge to put stock away. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Fade Emporium barber shop owner Brandon Doyle, who is so far exempt from the forced closures. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Rye Hotel, usually a bustling bistro, was empty and locked at 1pm.

Genesis Ringwood gym member John Strempel is disappointed the gym has been forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Kiel Egging

Jetts Bundoora has closed down due to the coronavirus. Picture: Emilie Baxter

A lone staff member is seen walking into a South Yarra gym.

Rosebud Hotel’s doors were locked this afternoon.

Fountain Gate Hotel in Narre Warren was a ghost town after the 12pm shutdown time.

True Fitness Braeside just after it closed at 12pm on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Chirnside Park's John Strempel got one last workout in at Genesis gym in Ringwood this morning. Picture: Kiel Egging

An empty beer garden at Rosebud Hotel.

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