Large restaurants and venues to close as PM bans indoor gatherings over 100 people
Large restaurants, pubs, night clubs and venues will be forced to close their doors after Prime Minister Scott Morrison banned non-essential indoor gatherings over 100.
Small venues will be allowed to remain open, as long as no more than 100 people, including staff, will be inside at any one time.
Small-sized restaurants and cafes and takeaways will be exempt.
“We are looking at a situation of at least six months for how we deal with this,” Morrison said. “It could be much longer than that.
“This is a once in 100 year type event. We haven’t seen this sort of thing in Australia since the end of the first World War. But together, we are up to this challenge.”
The Prime Minister also announced a ban on overseas travel.
“We are upgrading the travel ban on Australians to level 4 for the entire world,” he said.
“That is the first time that has ever happened in Australia’s history. The travel advice to every Australian is do not travel abroad. Do not go overseas.”
He also told Australians to stop hoarding.
“I can’t be more blunt about it. Stop it,” he said.
“It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.”
Sheridan Randall, 18th March 2020
