‘This is false’: Fears of complete lockdown being circulated

There’s news circulating the Government is going to announce a complete lockdown this afternoon but it’s all a hoax.

If you see a warning the Government is going to announce a complete lockdown for Australia today, disregard it.

Viral hoax messages are doing the rounds claiming Prime Minister Scott Morrison will order a shutdown this afternoon amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But the message is a copy of Malaysia’s announcement and authorities have made it clear it’s not true.

“ScoMo to announce 14-day mandatory lockdown tomorrow afternoon,” the message reads.

“Speech has already been written. Australia-wide lockdown affective (sic) Wednesday 18th March to 31st March.”

There’s a viral hoax message doing the rounds claiming the PM is about to shutdown the country. It’s a direct copy of Malaysia’s announcement. It isn’t true, please let people know if you see it pic.twitter.com/crgEETQ6Bk

— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) March 17, 2020

The message goes on to say there will be a ban on all religious, sporting and cultural gatherings and all businesses except supermarkets will be forced to close.

It says all tourists and visitors will be barred from entry.

But Health Minister Greg Hunt has come out saying the message is a hoax.

“There is misinformation that the Government is about to announce a major lockdown,” he said.

“This is false.”

There is misinformation that the government is about to announce a major lockdown. This is false. Please get your factual updates from https://t.co/OF5vMUOB3M

— Greg Hunt (@GregHuntMP) March 17, 2020

Mr Morrison addressed the concerns this mornings when he did announce gatherings of more than 100 people would be banned.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he said.

“There’s a lot of ridiculous stuff that’s circulating on text messages and internets about lockdowns, and sadly even cases of wilful fraud and fraudulent preparation of documents - even recordings alleging to represent cabinet meeting and things of this nature.

“Don’t believe it - it’s rubbish. Avoid that nonsense that you’re seeing on social media.

“There are a million experts, it seems. But the Government is relying on one of the experts standing beside me now.”

That expert is chief medical officer Dr Brendan Murphy.

READ MORE: Six coronavirus facts experts want you to know

With a good distance between them, Prime Minister Scott Morrison with the chief medical officer Brendan Murphy speaking this morning. Picture: Gary Ramage

“All of the chief ministers are working with the medical experts, whether it’s in supply management, whether it’s in power or telecommunications,” Mr Morrison said.

“They’re the people we’re getting our information from. We’ll continue to update you with clear decisions on what we’re doing, but on the misinformation, just ignore it.

“If you hear it from me, if you hear it from a Premier, if you hear it from Dr Murphy - if you hear it from those official sources and websites, that’s the information you should follow.”

Dr Murphy bluntly rejected the idea of a “short-term” shutdown of society, saying it would accomplish absolutely nothing.

Mr Hunt and Mr Morrison directed people to get their information from health.gov.au.

Mr Morrison announced the tough new restrictions on indoor gatherings and revealed other new measures for the first time in Australia’s history.

People are also being banned from travelling anywhere overseas.

Follow the latest coronavirus updates here.