What Queen’s memorial public holiday means for you

From schools to what’s open, this is how the Queen’s memorial public holiday will affect your long weekend plans.

A quirk in the protocols that take place when a monarch dies has meant Victorians will get an extra public holiday before the AFL Grand Final, providing many with a four-day weekend.

Under the current rules, a national day of mourning must be observed after the Prime Minister and Governor-General arrive back from the United Kingdom to pay their respects.

This pair will return Wednesday September 21 and the day of mourning has been declared for the next day.

It will be a public holiday for the entire country but many Victorians will not have to return to work on Friday as well because of the annual AFL Grand Final celebration.

Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday.

Mourners lay flowers at the base of a statue of Queen Elizabeth II at Government House.

What stays open and what closes?

The national day of mourning will not be a restricted public holiday, like Christmas Day, in which many shops are required to close.

It will be a normal trading day where retail, accommodation, dining and other businesses will remain open the public if they wish to do so.

The rules will be similar to Grand Final Friday.

What happens with childcare centres and schools?

Schools will be closed under the same rules as other public holidays. Private childcare operators that typically remain open on these days can remain open if they choose to do so.

Do businesses have to pay penalty rates?

Just like Grand Final Friday, businesses will have to pay public holiday rates to staff who work.

Will you have to pay a surcharge?

Surcharges are determined by each individual business, depending on if they can absorb the cost of higher penalty rates. If a cafe or restaurant typically put their prices up on public holidays it is likely they will do so on this occasion.

Retail, accommodation, dining and other businesses will remain open the public if they wish to do so. Picture: David Crosling

What happens with the Royal Melbourne Show?

The first day of the show is on September 22, the same day as the public holiday. This is not expected to effect the opening day of the event although it may bring in bigger crowds.

What do businesses say about it?

Groups such as the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Retailers Association say they respect the decision. They have questioned the short notice for the day, with rosters often planned at least a month in advance, and the burden of penalty rates on small businesses.

What do health professionals say about it?

Doctors and other medical workers have raised concerns about the public holiday because they have appointments booked in with patients, including cancer treatment and surgeries.

They say this will create pressure on the system as staff become unavailable or appointments are rescheduled.

The Australian Medical Association president Professor Steve Robson flagged there would be some issues.

“Operations and lots of patient consultations booked that day, at a time when access is difficult,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Thanks for dropping this at short notice.”

What does the Prime Minister say about it?

Anthony Albanese defended the move as a “one off occasion” that was historic.

“It is, of course, 70 years that we have had Queen Elizabeth as our monarch and it is important we mark that as a sign of respect,” he told Today.

Mr Albanese also encouraged cities and states to plan events for the day.

“Quite clearly over a long period of time. Over generations indeed, that affection for the Queen was there,” he said.

“We can see young people as well as older people who have lived their lives alongside Queen Elizabeth expressing gratitude but also grieving and mourning her loss.”