New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced she will move to implement a comprehensive shutdown of all non-essential businesses in the state over the next 48 hours. The orders will affect restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes and clubs.
The announcement comes ahead of the National Cabinet meeting this afternoon, Sunday 22 March.
“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,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Home delivery services will remain open, alongside supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will also push for a complete lockdown at this afternoon’s meeting.
“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,” Mr Andrews said.
More to come.