Mindil Beach Casino, Darwin pubs and cafes shut doors as closures come into force

Mindil Beach Casino Resort closed its doors to the public and a number of other Darwin hotels and pubs had packed up as the clock ticked past 12pm on Monday.

Monsoons’ staff members stack chairs and tables and remove indoor plants in the lead-up to the Monday 12pm deadline for pubs and other venues to close to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

• NT pubs, clubs closed in virus shutdown

MINDIL Beach Casino Resort closed its doors to the public and a number of other Darwin hotels and pubs had packed up as the clock ticked past 12pm on Monday

With the closure of venues such as pubs, clubs and gyms from midday in a nationwide effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the iconic casino was forced to close its doors.

“In compliance with the Australian Government, Mindil Beach Casino Resort will be closed from midday Monday 23rd March 2020, until further notice,” a sign at the front of the casino said.

“All activities are cancelled, including any promotions.

We will be communicating as quickly as possible with our employees to assist them during this period.”

The casino’s doors were open earlier on Monday, with restrictions introduced on spacing between seats in the gaming room and maximum bookings at restaurants and only the main entrance in use.

Staff have been contacted for comment.

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In the Darwin CBD, Monsoons’ staff members had stacked chairs and tables and indoor plants had been taken off site for the foreseeable future.

Next door, Wisdom Bar and Cafe staff informed the NT News they had also closed due to the regulations but would be providing a takeaway meal service from Tuesday.

The doors of Deck Bar were also closed – while a small window remained open for customers to order takeaway meals and beverages, the usually popular beer garden and courtyard were bare.

Many stores across Darwin are now putting out the call to their regular customers and asking for as much support as possible given less and less money will be coming through their doors.

While the Mitchell St strip was eerily quiet compared to a regular March day, even towards the end of the wet season, the Coles on Mitchell Centre was bustling with shoppers trying to get their hands on supplies, as police officers watched on.

On Cavenagh St, Roma Bar is one venue that has started a cold-kitchen service to adapt.

It is no longer open for dine-in but is instead providing freezer meals for customers who may not otherwise be able to get their hands on a meal in coming days.

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St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral also closed its doors on Monday, with a sign informing churchgoers they would not be able to attend the cathedral for the foreseeable future.