In the second week of March 2020, Australian institutions began cutting back services, and many closed. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, was cancelled entirely. Opera Australia close on 15 March. TAll cultural institutions were forced to close on 24 March. Public gatherings were banned. Other events that were cancelled included the Sydney Writers' Festival. By April over 50% of arts and recreation services were closed. Adrian Collette, CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts, said the affects on the arts were “catastrophic”.