In long queues outside Centrelink offices across Western Australia, people made suddenly unemployed are wondering how they are going to pay their bills, look after their children and pay the rent.

Key points: A national ban on public gathering has forced many businesses to close

A national ban on public gathering has forced many businesses to close Thousands of workers have been told overnight they no longer have jobs

Thousands of workers have been told overnight they no longer have jobs Centrelink services have been overwhelmed as people apply for help

Anxious people today waited their turn to go inside and register their details for the Job Seeker payment, many having only learned yesterday they were out of a job.

Susi, wearing a mask and staying away from others in the queue, said she had received a text from the owner of the cafe where she worked at 10:00pm yesterday.

"I was the last one in and the first one to go," she said.

"I'm on my own. I don't have any money, I don't have anything, my mortgage is due tomorrow. It's not just me, it's everybody."

Further down in the queue, the stark reality of COVID-19 restrictions requiring the widespread closure of businesses has hit Tom, who worked in hospitality.

"It's becoming very real at the moment," he said.

"[I'm] very worried about it. We need to band together at the moment. It's daunting. It makes it very real."

A woman, who did not give her name, had been waiting to be seen at Centrelink since 7:00am.

"All three of my jobs are hospitality and fitness, so I've lost all of them," she said.

"I have two little kids as well and I'm a single mum."

National closures result in widespread layoffs

They were among tens of thousands of people in the state affected by Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement businesses had to close by midday today because people were gathering in some of them against social-distancing guidelines.

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Pubs, clubs, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs, indoor places of worship, gyms and indoor sporting venues all had to shut their doors.

Cafes and restaurants can stay open, but they can only offer takeaway and delivery services.

The WA branch of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) estimated the new social-distancing measures would cost about 40,000 people their jobs across the state.

AHA WA chief executive Bradley Woods said between 1,500 and 2,000 clubs and bars would be affected in WA and the impact would be severe.

"This is a heartbreaking and challenging day for thousands of business owners and the 50,000 staff they employ across the state," he said.

The AHA was working with the McGowan Government to get urgent clarification on how takeaway food and alcohol sales could occur.

Mr Woods said this would include volume restrictions on alcohol.

"This is to ensure staff safety and avoid the panic buying that we sadly saw with respect to toilet paper and other essential items," he said.

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Businesses rush to adapt

Cafes and restaurants were today busily setting up expanded takeaway menus.

Stuart Lofthouse, owner of Greens and Co on Oxford Street in Leederville, encouraged people to support their local small businesses and the staff who worked there.

"Come out and buy a coffee, within the rules that are laid out," Mr Lofthouse said.

"I think it's going to be a very tough time and the amount of hurt in the community is huge."

Earlier, Joseph Andrew was enjoying one last sit-down coffee in Cottesloe and facing life with now more unemployment.

He had jobs in a local restaurant and a stand-up paddle board store, but expected they were finished.

"I have multiple sources of income and they are all on hold," he said.

"I will have to live much thriftier."

Huge queues at WA Centrelink outlets

Queues of people were seen at Centrelink buildings across Perth this morning, including in Victoria Park where dozens of people began lining up an hour and a half before doors opened.

Queues at Centrelink in Victoria Park stretched around the building. ( ABC News: Marcus Alborn )

Only 20 people were allowed in the building at a time to comply with social-distancing measures.

At the front of the line were Cherie Grant, 26, and Rhiannon Stella, 21, who both lost their hospitality jobs at the weekend.

"We don't have any second form of income so this is what we have to do," Ms Grant said.

Cherie Grant and Rhiannon Stella both lost their hospitality jobs and are now turning to Centrelink for support. ( ABC News: Marcus Alborn )

Bartender Quintus Olsthoorn, 24, who lost his job on Friday when the business he worked for closed, was among the crowd.

"I've still got rent to pay which hasn't gone down, so I've come here because I need to be put on Newstart until I can find a new job, whenever that could be," he said.

"I think it's really tough for anyone who's living pay cheque to pay cheque."