NSW and Victoria to shut down non-essential services to slow the exponential growth of Covid-19

Federal and State governmnets in Australia  are on the verge of approving dramatic lockdowns of the worst coronavirus-hit Australian communities to slow the exponential growth of the deadly disease before tens of thousands die from it.

The NSW and Victorian Governments will proceed to a more comprehensive shutdown of non-essential services over the next 48 hours in attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Victoria and New South Wales already announced their plans few hours ago and all non-essential activities will be shutdown and this would include the closure of non-essential businesses such as restaurants and pubs.

New South Wales:

Here is the full statement from the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, on a “more comprehensive lockdown of non-essential services” in NSW.

The statement reads:   Tonight I will be informing the National Cabinet that NSW will proceed to a more comprehensive shutdown of non-essential services. This will take place over the next 48 hours.

Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home delivery will be among the many services that will remain open.

Schools will be open tomorrow, though I will have more to say on this issue in the morning.

I will update NSW tomorrow morning about the impacts and our plans following the National Cabinet.

VICTORIA

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews also  released this statement, echoing an earlier statement from the NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.

It goes further in announcing a school shutdown from Tuesday. Term one School holidays are due to start in Victoria on Friday, Andrews said he does not know at this stage whether they will re-open after school holidays on 13 April.

Here’s the statement in full:

I will inform National Cabinet tonight that Victoria will proceed over the next 48 hours to implement a shutdown of all non-essential activity across our state to combat the spread of Coronavirus.

This is not something that we do lightly, but it’s clear that if we don’t take this step, more Victorians will contract coronavirus, our hospitals will be overwhelmed and more Victorians will die.

Victorians will still be able to go to the supermarket, the bank, the pharmacy and other essential stores, like petrol stations and convenience stores. Freight, logisitics and home delivery are also considered essential and will remain open.

I will also inform National Cabinet that school holidays will be brought forward in Victoria, starting on Tuesday 24 March.

All measures to be implemented by Victoria are consistent with the health advice provided by the Victorian Chief Health Officer.

The decision whether to re-open schools after the Term 1 holidays will likewise be determined following advice from the Chief Health Officer.

I will have more to say on these measures tomorrow morning.