As Australian citizens try to become accustomed to a new way of doing things, backpackers from across the seas are stranded in this vast nation.
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Rural and remote pubs are popular spots for backpackers to spend a few months on their working visas, but this has proved to be disastrous since pubs were forced to closed their doors more than a week ago.
Many are still offering takeaway meals, but no longer need the number of staff they did before.
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Friends and backpackers Rachel and Courtney from Canada had only been working at the Curlewis pub for two weeks before it had to shut.
They are without work and have nowhere to go so they are relying on the generosity of their employers Erin Van Beeck and Matt White.
"We're pretty much [stuck] because you can't travel out of state now and a lot of hostels aren't accepting new backpackers to stay there. With no work, we can't really go somewhere else and pay rent with no job," Rachel said.
The girls arrived in Australia in August 2019 and worked in two other towns before coming to Curlewis.
There are good days and bad days but we're trying to stay as positive about it as possible and trying to keep busy.
- Rachel, backpacker
They are determined to stay in Australia while they can because "it's the same situation in Canada".
"I would go back and have no job. I have a car here and I don't have a car at home any more. I would be doing the exact same thing, so I feel like it would be tougher to come back if I were to go home," Rachel said.
"Two or three friends have flown back home because they were broke and homeless ... we're going to do everything we can not to go home."
Rachel said at first her parents were worried about her being so far away during the pandemic but now "they're pretty okay".
"It's worse in Canada than in Australia - there are more cases," she said.
Every day life for the pair is "pretty limited" but they're glad to have each other to lean on.
"There are good days and bad days but we're trying to stay as positive about it as possible and trying to keep busy," she said.
Over in Mullaley, two of the three backpackers working and living at the Royal Hotel Spring Ridge have already flown home, but a third, from the United Kingdom has decided to stay on and is cooking up takeaway meals for locals.
Ele, a chef, was originally planning to fly back home in April before her visa runs out in May, but now she is rethinking it because there is no work with bars, cafes and restaurants closed.
If the UK is still locked down when she is due to return in May, she might apply for second year in Australia instead
"Everyone's in quarantine and there's no work whatsoever ... here at least I've got a few hours," Ele said.
The Brit started off working in Sydney as a chef in 2019 and arrived in Spring Ridge in January this year.
"It's been really good. I've really enjoyed it. All the locals are really lovely. It's kind of like a family here. They've welcomed me since day one. It's been really nice," Ele said.
"It's definitely been an experience. The people are what make it here."
Ele said pub owners Robyn and Tom Archer had been "absolutely amazing" about the difficult situation the pandemic had put her in.
"They said I can stay as long as I like," she said.
"They're great people - I've literally been treated as part of the family."
