The War Memorial's Anzac Day service is likely to go ahead, but it won't look like it has in previous years, where more than 30,000 people have crowded the steps of the institution.
As national institutions across the capital grapple with how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the War Memorial is set announce the form in which the service will go ahead within days,
Organisers are assessing their options about how it should work and how people can be involved, after all commemorations were scrapped across New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania.
In Melbourne the march has been cancelled and the dawn service will continue at the Shrine with no crowd in attendance.
More than 35,000 people attended the Dawn Service at the memorial last year, the most well-attended event on the institution's calendar. Unlike in other states where the decision to hold the event lies with state authorities, it is the memorial itself that will make the call, under advice from health authorities.
"The federal government is engaging with the Australian War Memorial regarding the National Anzac Day service in Canberra and will provide further advice as it comes to hand," Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester said on Monday.
"Naturally, the health and safety of people attending commemorative events is our number one priority and we need to recognise that a lot of our veterans are of advanced years and they are in the vulnerable category when it comes to coronavirus," he said.
"So I'll be taking advice from health authorities, I'll be working in partnership with state leaders, our state ministers and making sure we make the right decision in the interests of public safety and the interests of our veterans."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said there was no way it could go ahead as normal.
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"It would be fair to assume there will not be a mass gathering dawn service, and nor will there be a parade of veterans on Anzac Day, but it would be suitable to do some small scale commemoration that would be national and televised for example," Mr Barr said on Monday.
"That's a decision that others will formalise but it has been talked about."
The National Film and Sound Archive announced it would close its education programs from Monday, and completely from Wednesday until April 30.
Many other institutions have chosen to remain open, including the National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Questacon and National Museum, with beefed-up hygiene and cleaning measures.
The Last Post will continue at the War Memorial, which also remains open, but almost all events at other institutions have been cancelled.
The National Zoo and Aquarium has also remained open, citing its large open spaces and visitor numbers that are generally below 500.
Similar institutions elsewhere in Australia have announced closures for the coming weeks, including the National Gallery of Victoria.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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