NT pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and indoor venues to close as of midday

TERRITORIANS will today for the first time face the strict and harsh reality of the global coronavirus pandemic restrictions that have finally reached their doorstep

Grant Stanbury and Bonnie McGill enjoy a drink at the Hotel Darwin hoping that the pubs dont get shut down . Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

TERRITORIANS will today for the first time face the strict and harsh reality of the global coronavirus pandemic restrictions that have finally reached their doorstep.

From midday, pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, gyms, casinos, among many other indoor gatherings, will be closed or restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The venues will close for at least a month before they are reviewed by the chief minsters, premiers and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Last night, Chief Minister Michael Gunner told the NT News the spread of the disease was an “unprecedented health emergency” for the nation. “That means making tough, gut-wrenching decisions to save lives. I will do whatever it takes to make sure what is happening to too many lives overseas and in the rest our nation does not happen here,” he said.

“And things will get harder before they get easier. But we are all in this together – we’ve got to work together and help each other as much as we can. We’re all on Team Territory now.”

Mr Gunner will address Territorians this morning.

His comments came minutes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed the nation to deliver the tough new measures. He said there would be a staged process starting with a shutdown of “principal places of social gathering”. Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway only.

Mr Morrison said the step had to be taken because Australians were not adequately social distancing and the virus continued to spread.

“We cannot have the confidence as a group of leaders that the social distancing guidelines and rules that we have put in place won’t be followed to the level of compliance that we require to flatten the curve and slow the spread and save lives,” Mr Morrison said.

Perth couple Grant Stanbury and Bonnie McGill were left stranded in Darwin after their flight was cancelled. Mr Stanbury said they would be fine as long as the pubs didn’t close. They were among only a few Darwinites enjoying an amber ale yesterday afternoon on Mitchell St.

Yesterday, South Australia joined the NT and Tasmania in announcing border control measures. Across Australia, the number of cases has risen to 1286. Seven people have died.

The NT has five cases.

State and territory leaders and Mr Morrison have recommended against all non- essential domestic travel.