Patrons are enjoying their last drinks in pubs and clubs across Australia before they are forced to shut down under sweeping new coronavirus restrictions.
Scott Morrison met with state and territory leaders on Sunday night to discuss further measures to stem the spread of COVID-19, as the number of cases in Australia surged to 1,354.
As part of ‘stage one’ restrictions, the prime minister announced pubs, nightclubs cinemas, gyms and places of worship would be forced to close from midday on Monday.
Late on Sunday night, punters at Sydney’s Pyrmont Bridge Hotel enjoyed a final schooner before venues closed indefinitely, with some believing the measures were ‘an overreaction’.
Garry from Brisbane at the bar at Sydney’s Pyrmont Bridge Hotel on the final night before pubs and clubs are forced to close under Scott Morrison’s new coronavirus restrictions
Lucy, Sam, Dillon and Beth from Machester and Leeds enjoy a drink together at the Pyrmont Bridge on Sunday night
Garry with Marcella and Marta from Bogota in Colombia smile with their beers in the pub on Sunday
Garry and Brett flew down from Brisbane for the Golden Slipper horse race, which was held without punters at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The two mates watched Mr Morrison’s press conference from the pub on Sunday night, with Brett believing he has gone too far with the restrictions.
‘I think it’s an overreaction,’ he said.
The pair spent the day on the northern beaches, where it was ‘business as usual’ riding a crowded ferry to the packed beach at Manly, before lifeguards closed it down.
Brett later conceded the government has ‘got to do what they’ve got to do’ and said he feared for the impact of businesses around the country.
‘We’ll get over the social down turn, I mean, you can still have a beer at home, but the impact on business and industries will be much more,’ he said.
Sam, Lucy, Dillon and Beth were enjoying one last night out together before Dillon flies back to the UK this week
Brett and Garry travelled from Brisbane to Sydney for the Golden Slipper horse race, which ran in front of an empty grand stand at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Many pubs were very quiet amid coronavirus restrictions with several already closed by 10pm, while the Dunkirk Hotel had only two customers inside
Sam, Lucy, Dillon and Beth, from the UK, noted how quiet Sydney’s streets were with many pubs already closed by 10pm.
The Dunkirk Hotel at Pyrmont had just two customers inside, while The Quarrymans, The Toxteth, The Glebe Hotel, The Harold Park Hotel, The Annandale Hotel, and The Empire – all in the city’s inner west – were shut.
Sam said the group were enjoying one last night out together before Dillon flies back to the UK.
‘There’s no one out anywhere and I should feel bad that I’m boozing when there’s social distancing and isolation going on,’ he said.
‘But I’m supporting a business and it’s better than doing nothing at home.’
Marta and Marcella, from Bogota in Colombia, have been travelling across Australia and learning English for the past three months.
Marta regularly drinks at the Pyrmont Bridge and noticed the pub getting quieter since her arrival.
The Pyrmont Bridge Hotel has a 24 hour licence and is one of the most popular pubs in Sydney
Coronavirus restrictions kept patron numbers low as revellers enjoyed their final drinks in a licenced venue for the foreseeable future
She said she hoped the coronavirus pandemic would end and have everything go back to normal.
‘It’s hard for me because I have lost my job as a cleaner, so now I don’t know what is going to happen,’ she said.
‘I just need it to be over so I can enjoy the beautiful country again.’
Fang is a manager at the Pyrmont Bridge and has worked there for seven years.
She was sad for her staff who had been forced out of work and also her locals who won’t be able to finish off their day with a drink.
‘I’m upset and kind of sad for everyone because I know the people around love to come and have a drink after they finish work,’ Fang said.
‘You can see it’s a bit quiet today, hopefully we get some people from hospitality jobs come after they finish to grab their last drink before everything is shut.’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said schools would stay open. A lockdown may last for six months as if everything were reopened after two weeks, the virus would spread again, he said
Mr Morrison said the restrictions on gathering places were necessary for Australia to manage the spread of coronavirus.
He acknowledged many individuals and businesses would be affected and the changes would radically alter life for all Australians for up to six months.
‘I am deeply regretful that those workers and those business owners who will be impacted by this decision will suffer the economic hardship that undoubtedly they will now have to face,’ he said.
‘That is a very, very regretful decision. But a necessary one in the view of the premiers and chief ministers and myself to ensure that we can control the spread of this virus.’
Mr Morrison said the government was not locking down Australians in their homes and said the idea had not been discussed.
‘We are not putting in place lockdowns that put people and confine them to their home,’ he said.
‘That is not a measure that has been contemplated at this point. So there is no reason for anyone to do that.’
Hotels and pubs will not have to close their accommodation areas, only their licensed areas and gathering areas.
Bottle shops that are off-license and not used for gatherings will remain open.
Restaurants and cafes must close their indoor areas but can still sell takeaway and delivery food.
Indoor sporting venues and places of worship will also have to close their indoor gathering areas, but funerals will still be allowed.
‘Enclosed spaces for funerals and things of that nature will have to follow the strict four square metre rule which will be enforced,’ the Prime Minister said.
Victoria, NSW and the ACT had been pushing for school closures but the schools will remain open.
WHAT WILL CLOSE AND WHAT WILL STAY OPEN?
WHAT WILL STAY OPEN:
Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies and convenience stores.
Home delivery, freight and logistics services
Schools (but ACT, NSW and Victoria schools will close early for Easter)
Accommodation areas of pubs and hotels
Restaurants and cafes for takeaway and delivery food (but closed for dining)
Places of worship for funerals (but must observe the four-square-meter rule)
Off-license bottle shops
NRL season
Everything except for primary gathering places in entertainment venues
WHAT WILL CLOSE:
Restaurants and cafes for seated dining (takeaway is OK)
Licensed clubs, bars, hotels and pubs – the licensed and gathering areas
Entertainment venues and cinemas, casinos and nightclubs.
Indoor sporting venues
Places of worship (except for funerals)
AFL season until May 31
All bars and restaurants will close to diners but will still be able to sell takeaway and delivery food ( Pictured: Club 77)
Petrol stations will remain open as will pharmacies and supermarkets