Mr Sherwood, who has already had to stand down some of his 20 or so employees this week, was feeling 'pretty flat' on Sunday night, his last night of in-house trading for the foreseeable future. Loading "I've been in this industry for 15 years, and I'd never really thought about this happening," he says. "I used to joke we were the only ones who were recession-proof." Despite the hardship he's facing, Mr Sherwood says he understands the new rules. "There's no real feeling that it's being heavy-handed, we understand why it has to happen," he said.

About 100 people came through the pub's doors for a meal on Sunday night, as a last hurrah to their local - for now. "We've had awesome community support which has been humbling," he says. "The big thing for us now is trying to change our model, to try to work with delivery and keep as many people employed as possible." Not too far away, things were very subdued at the usually bustling Great Northern Pub in Carlton, as around a dozen punters sat and sipped their last pints. Charles Parker, 25, and Peta Varga, 26, enjoy their last night for a fair while at Carlton's Great Northern Pub. Credit:Rachael Dexter Charles Parker, 25, and Peta Varga, 26, enjoyed a few last rounds of pool in the empty front bar.

"It's quite strange, it's usually so busy in here," says Mr Parker, who says he sometimes visits the pub four nights a week. "I'm not a big drinker but me and friends use it as a bit of a hangout spot." While he might be young himself, Mr Park said he felt the move to close pubs was a matter of collective responsibility. "I'm young and healthy so maybe I can come out of it [coronavirus] and I'll be OK, but I don't want to endanger other people". Loading His pool partner said she was feeling anxious about the future.

"I work in a kind of healthcare job, so [COVID-19] will continue to be at the forefront of everyone's minds where I work," Ms Varga said. She said the new measures would mean she would need to be even less social than her other friends because she works with at-risk patients. "You wouldn't want to kill someone just to go play some checkers," she says. "My anxiousness comes from not knowing what the future will be like". Peter Sherwood closes up the bar for the last time before a ban on pubs kicks in at midday Monday. Credit:Rachael Dexter Mr Sherwood doesn't know when he'll be able to open the doors again for the people of North Fitzroy, with the PM suggesting policies could be in place for up to six months.