Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that the retail sector in metro Melbourne will have to close from 11.59pm this Wednesday 05 August for six weeks.
The news comes as Victoria entered a State of Disaster yesterday in an effort to curb COVID-19 case numbers.
Ragtrader understands that retailers will still be able to offer contactless delivery or pick-up to customers shopping via eCommerce channels.
In a press conference, Daniel Andrews outlined three categories that businesses can fall into: those that can stay open, those that will have to close and those that will have to scale back operations.
Businesses included in the 'open' category include supermarkets, food stores, liquor shops, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, newsagents, post offices and outlets selling disability and maternity supplies.
By putting these measures in place, approximately one million Victorians will not be moving around the state to go to work.
In a statement, Premier Daniel Andrews said that the state must take unprecedented measures to stop people moving around to stop the spread.
"As Premier, I’ve spent every day fighting for workers and fighting for jobs.
"I understand deeply: a job means financial security – but it also means stability, purpose and the foundation to build your future.
"Truthfully, I never thought I’d find myself in a position where I’d have to ask people not to go to work.
"But if we're serious about driving this thing down – and we absolutely must be – we need to take unprecedented steps in limiting the movement of people, and therefore limiting the movement of this virus," he said.