In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said all non-essential activity would be shut down, while Victorians would still be able to go to the supermarket, the bank, the pharmacy and other essential stores, like petrol stations and convenience stores.

Freight, logistics and home delivery are also considered essential and will remain open, according to the statement.

The Premier confirmed pubs, clubs, nightclubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, weddings and funerals will be subject to the shutdown.

Decisions regarding businesses such as hairdressers, barbers, dentists and whether they should continue trading would be made later down the track.

NSW and the ACT have announced similar lockdown measures.

Victorian schools will remain open on Monday, but the holiday period will be brought forward by a week to Tuesday.

In a press conference on Monday morning, Andrews said the lockdown will be in place until at least midnight on April 13.

“Never before have we seen such a large part of the economy shutdown,” he said.

“It is painful but it is appropriate.

“We needed to take a big step, and we have.

“There are many Victorians who are acting selfishly.

“They are doing the wrong thing.

“If that continues, then people will die.”

Andrews said the closure of non-essential venues such as bars and restaurants does not mean people should congregate in homes.

“You won’t be able to go to the pub because the pub is shut,” he said.

“That it doesn’t mean you can have your mates over home and get on the beers, it is not appropriate.”

The Premier gave an example of a dinner party where one person had coronavirus and infected the other dozen guests.

“As best we can tell, the dinner party started with one person who had the coronavirus,” he said.

“By the end of the dinner party, almost everyone had the coronavirus; this spreads rapidly.”

Andrews added that businesses excluded from the lockdown should still take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including enforcing social distancing and working from home when possible.

As the state prepares to go into lockdown, Andrews has also announced a 500-strong squad of police will enforce new social distancing rules to reduce the spread of coronavirus and “reduce the number of people that will die”.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the government was “upping the ante” regarding spot checks for those who should be in self-isolation.

“Police have the powers to fine you, arrest you, detain you,” she said.

Andrews said if there is a situation where “this virus fundamentally gets away from us” there will be thousands of people that can only breathe with a machine, and “we will not have enough machines”.

Despite other Australian states and territories closing their borders, Victoria is set to remain open.

“I am not interested in closing our borders,” Andrews confirmed on Monday morning.

“Our border is not closed.”

Governments have announced a suite of measures to respond to the economic impact of the pandemic, including a “coronavirus supplement” and an increase to the Jobseeker allowance announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the weekend.

Morrison has said the Federal government will impose drastic measures across the nation following a Cabinet meeting on Sunday evening.

Victoria has recorded 59 new COVID-19 cases overnight, nudging the state’s total up to 355.

North of the border, there were 136 new cases for NSW in the last 24 hours, a total of 669 in the state.

Six people have died so far in Australia.

What we know so far about the Victorian lockdown

What will remain open:

  • Supermarkets
  • Banks
  • Pharmacies
  • Petrol stations
  • Freight and delivery services
  • Butchers, bakeries and greengrocers
  • Newsagencies

What will be closed:

  • All schools from tomorrow
  • Hospitality businesses including bars and cafes
  • AFL season, suspended for two months. AFLW season cancelled
  • Retail stores expected to close but can continue selling products online

What has not yet been confirmed:

  • Public transport
  • Food delivery services
  • Bottle shops
  • Hairdressers
  • Worksites