Coronavirus: What is and isn’t open during statewide shutdowns

Australians’ daily lives have greatly changed with the widespread closure of businesses. Here’s what you need to know.

On Monday Australians entered a new way of daily life, with widespread closures of businesses and social venues nationwide.

The federal government is urging Australians to limit unnecessary travel to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Does my child need to go to school?

The federal government is advising that children continue to attend school, but this advice differs to that of several state and territory governments.

The federal government has cited the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which is advising the government that it is safe to keep schools open.

Victoria

Victoria has brought forward school holidays to Tuesday, March 24.

Tuesday will be a student-free day, to allow teachers to plan for online learning if the closure is extended.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the decision to re-open schools next term would be dependent on advice from the state’s Chief Health Officer.

“Term two is scheduled to begin on April 14, unless I have medical advice not to proceed with term two,” Mr Andrews said.

NSW

Schools and childcare centres will also remain open up to the April 9 school holidays, although parents are permitted to remove their children from school as they see fit.

Online classes and classes still at school will be combined to facilitate simpler learning delivery.

"The health advice has not changed," Ms Berejiklian said on Monday morning.

"However, for practical reasons in NSW we will be encouraging parents to keep their children at home."

"Already last week we had up to 30 per cent of parents who chose to keep their [children] at home, and we appreciate and anticipate that number will increase.”

"There won't be a separate class for kids at home, there won't be a separate class for kids at school … which makes it simple and practical," she said.

Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said schools would stay open, subject to medical advice.

The state’s education minister, Grace Grace said parents could keep their children home if they wanted to.
Ms Grace said schools would remain open until April 3, the last day before the scheduled school holidays.

Meanwhile, the state’s teachers union is urging the state government to close schools from Wednesday, saying it had lost confidence in decision making.

ACT

Like Victoria, schools in ACT will shut on Tuesday, March 24.

While Victoria has brought forward school holidays, ACT will facilitate online classes for the territory’s schools.

The territory government says most students should stay home from school from Tuesday onwards, with exemptions made for children of “essential” workers.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr reassured parents that no students would be turned away from schools.

“Kids who need to be at school because there are no options will not be turned away and will be looked after. But we are asking parents who can keep their kids at home to do so.”

WA

Western Australian schools will remain open, but said parents can choose to keep their children at home.

The Premier Mark McGowan said the state’s leaders were following the best available medical advice.

“I’ve always said that closing schools is a last resort. But I understand many parents are concerned and what to keep their children at home this time.”

“It is for that reason that we relax the law and provide parents with choice.”

It comes as a private school in the state became the first school to close on Monday, after a parent tested positive to COVID-19.

What is closed and how long will this go on for?

From midday on Monday, the National Cabinet has enforced the closure of the following venues.

• Pubs, registered and licensed clubs and hotels (excluding accommodation)

• Restaurant and cafe’s dining facilities (takeaway and home delivery options will be permitted)

Sam Vojsk, right, and Doug Thomas have last drinks at the The Fortune of War, Sydney's oldest pub. Picture: John Feder

• Gyms and indoor sporting centres

• Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and nightclubs

• Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces, small groups where the 1 person per metre rule applies are exempt)

The measures also apply to outdoor spaces associated with these social venues.

Scott Morrison has warned Australians that these new social restriction measures will last for at least six months.

What is still open?

Most businesses that comply with social distancing measures can remain open, including:

• Supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, petrol stores and convenience stores. Freight, logistics and home delivery services.

• Bottle shops, including those attached to licensed venues.

• Accommodation (including hotels). In New South Wales, the tourism minister Stuart Ayres confirmed caravan parks would also be able to operate as places of accommodation.

McDonalds workers at Circular Quay pack away tables as cafes ban patrons from eating on the premises Picture: John Feder

• Takeaway and home delivery from restaurants and cafes.

• Food venues in shopping centres and large retail stores like Costco can still operate, provided they only offer food for take away.

• Some activities with indoor components will be able to proceed. For example in New South Wales, golf clubs can still allow people to play but cannot operate licensed or registered clubhouses on the venue.

• Petrol stations

• Pharmacies

• Convenience stores

Can I go to the dentist?

Dentists do not fall under a currently restricted category, but the country’s peak dentistry body is advising dentists to defer routine treatment for non-urgent cases.

“It appears the government will consider dental services as essential as long as they are provided safely,” reads a statement from the Australian Dental Association.

The ADA said state and territory health departments could place further restrictions on dental practices.

Can I take my pet to the vet?

The National Cabinet’s Stage 1 restrictions do not include veterinary services, but there could be further limitations on businesses if Stage 2 is reached.

What happens if people don’t comply?

In Victoria, Daniel Andrews has announced a 500-officer police taskforce to enforce public social distancing measures. He has also warned that stricter measures could be enforced after the National Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

NSW’s police force is also working on plans to ensure compliance with the state’s social distancing rules.

Do I have to work from home?

The federal government is advising all Australians to limit unnecessary travel.

Federal and state governments are also urging employees at businesses excluded from the closures to work remotely to help slow the spread of the virus.

Sydney business hub Barangaroo was empty on Monday. Picture: John Feder.

“We recommend where possible, that people work from home to reduce the social interaction so distancing is maintained," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday.

Government leaders have also warned that the public needs to reduce social interactions.

"If people simply behave as normal, if they don't take this seriously, if they act selfishly, then people will die," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

What about school exams?

Last week, state and territory education ministers cancelled this year's NAPLAN test amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The NSW Education Minister Mitchell has flagged that the New South Wales Education Authority would be meeting tomorrow to discuss issues surrounding the Higher School Certificate exams.

What about childcare centres?

Childcare centres and kindergartens are deemed essential measures under the current shutdowns and remain open.

The Education Minister said he would introduce legislation today to ensure they remain open and economically viable.

Dan Tehan flagged that the government would help families with the cost of childcare and help centres pay their staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The assistance to centres would only apply to those that are forced to close due to government health advice, not on a voluntary basis.

“The current medical advice is that the childcare sector remains open, except when individual services have been directed to close by health authorities,” the media release reads.

Some childcare centres have recorded a drop in attendance rate, as parents respond to fears about the virus.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said on Twitter that she wants childcare centres to remain open, and will have discussions with the federal government to that end.

"We recognise this is also a difficult time for early childhood services in NSW.

“We will be encouraging these services to remain open, but there will be challenges which we will work with them to address.

“This will include talking to our federal colleagues about further support," she said.