New South Wales and Victoria are pushing ahead with a lockdown of all non-essential activities, which will see schools, restaurants and most businesses close in the next 48 hours.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian is implementing a NSW-wide shutdown. (AAP)

The measures will be discussed at a meeting of the National Cabinet - the state and territory premiers, chief ministers and the prime minister - this evening.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed she would begin enacting the lockdown in her state.

"Tonight I will be informing the National Cabinet that NSW will proceed to a more comprehensive shutdown of non-essential services. This will take place over the next 48 hours," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home delivery will be among the many services that will remain open.

"Schools will be open tomorrow, though I will have more to say on this issue in the morning.

"I will update NSW tomorrow morning about the impacts and our plans following the National Cabinet."

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has pushed for all schools to close. (AAP)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state would also begin a shutdown of non-essential services over the next 48 hours, with schools to close on Tuesday.

"This is not something that we do lightly, but it's clear that if we don't take this step, more Victorians will contract coronavirus, our hospitals will be overwhelmed and more Victorians will die," he said.

"Victorians will 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.

"I will also inform National Cabinet that school holidays will be brought forward in Victoria, starting on Tuesday 24 March."

Mr Andrews said a decision on whether to reopen schools would be made based on advice from the state's chief health officer.

Victoria prepared to go it alone

Nine Political Editor Chris Uhlmann earlier reported Victoria would go it alone on school closures if the national plan was not approved.

"It is likely that the National Cabinet will agree to that this evening, but if not, Victoria will go its own way and shut down schools from Tuesday," Uhlmann said.

"What the two states and the premiers are pushing forward for now is to push for an entire lockdown for activities that is not essential.

"You can go out to go to the shops, but almost nothing else.

"We have seen it happen on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne and what we are seeing around the world. They will push for a closure of schools on Tuesday.

"If that is not agreed to unanimously by national cabinet, Victoria will go its own way and the schools will shut from Tuesday."