Non-essential activity including schools and business across Ararat and Stawell will be shut down by Tuesday to combat the spread of coronavirus, with some businesses ordered to close their doors by midday on Monday.
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After a Sunday night meeting of the state heads, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered clubs and pubs, cinemas and gyms shut down by noon Monday with cafes and restaurants limited to takeaway only.
When questioned by reporters on other services, the Prime Minister responded they were targeting any venue where social gathering was taking place to ensure the message of social distancing was being enforced.
The Prime Minster warned the closures could be in place for six months.
Despite a statement on Sunday saying all non-essential activities in Victoria would be shut down, leaving many people in fear they would lose their jobs, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday morning wound that back to be in line with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"Will we have to take further steps? I think almost certainly we will," he said.
"If people make good decisions instead of instead of selfish ones, instead of killing people ... that is not a tough decision to make.
"Do the right thing, do the decent thing."
School holidays in Victoria will start on Tuesday and Mr Andrews said parents should plan for term 2 to start on April 14, but warned the situation could change.
"We want our children to get an education for as long as we possibly can during the Covid-19 outbreak, and that's in line with medical advice," he said.
Teachers will use the time to plan for remote, flexible and distance learning to keep education going at a distance.
Greater Ararat Business Network president Maria Whitford said it was imperative the business network "sticks together".
"There are opportunities for our staff to be redeployed in other industries that are ramping up," she said.
"It's really important that we all communicate, we all stick together and we all take care of each other.
"We will get through this. There are opportunities to do takeaway and delivery for all our hospitality businesses.
"They don't need a take away license from what I understand they just need to get the guidelines from the council."
Ms Whitford said she welcomed anyone needing support to contact her directly.
"We need to work within the guidelines until the next guidelines are released," she said.