Drinkers rushed to bottle shops around Australia on Sunday fearing a coronavirus lockdown, before the Prime Minister confirmed liquor stores would stay open. Shoppers packed Dan Murphy's stores across the country after officials in Victoria and NSW announced the pending shutdown of non-essential services. Twitter was awash with pictures of the panic queues both at the drive-thrus and in stores. 'Chaos at Dan Murphy's on the northern beaches, goodbye toilet roll hello booze,' said one person on Twitter. One local bottle shop owner in Sydney said he had done three weeks worth of trading in two hours on Sunday. Staff at a small bottle-o in Sydney's east told Daily Mail Australia Sunday's sales were like Christmas. 'It's been crazy. We've done about $50,000 for the day. With the beaches closing and the uncertainly [surrounding lockdown], the locals have come in numbers we haven't seen since last Christmas Eve,' they said. But the Prime Minister brought sweet relief late on Sunday when he confirmed liquor stores would not be closed. Only the licensed premises and gathering areas of pubs, clubs and hotels will shut as of noon on Monday. 'There will be a lot of relieved people sleeping a lot better tonight knowing that lockdown with their loved ones will not need to be endured completely sober. Thankyou,' a punter wrote on Dan Murphy's Facebook page. Thousands of anxious Australians had earlier questioned whether bottle shops would stay open in Melbourne and Sydney. 'Urgent clarification required: are bottle shops considered an essential service?,' tweeted one man. 'Bottle shops are essential for keeping the peace,' added another. Not only will bottle shops stay open, but home delivery alcohol services such as Jimmy Brings will operate as usual. But all gatherings in enclosed spaces in licensed clubs, pubs, bars, hotels and casinos must cease as of noon. Hotels and pubs will not have to close their accommodation areas, only their licensed areas and gathering areas, the Prime Minister said. 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. The Prime Minister reminded people not to panic buy or break the social distancing rules in shops. 'I would simply ask Australians to be calm and exercise some sensible judgement,' he said. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8139727/Chaos-bottle-shops-drinkers-rush-alcohol-PM-confirms-liquor-stores-stay-OPEN.html

Drinkers rushed bottle shops around Australia on Sunday fearing a sober lockdown before the Prime Minister confirmed liquor stores will stay open.