Supermarket giants reveal cyclone store closures
Everything that has been closed ahead of the storm making landfall.
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Schools and businesses in impact zones across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales will close from today as Tropical Cyclone Alfred gets closer to landfall.
The category 2 storm is expected to make landfall late tomorrow or Saturday, bringing with it damaging winds, intense rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding.
Sports and other events have also been called off in anticipation of the cyclone's arrival.
LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Cyclone Alfred nears Queensland coast
Here's everything you need to know about school, business and other closures and cancellations as Cyclone Alfred approaches.
School closures: Queensland
More than 600 Queensland schools are closed today as the storm approaches the coast.
"Schools will be closed in the impacted area (Thursday) and Friday," Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed.
Many childcare centres are already closed and many universities are expected to pause teaching from today.
READ MORE: Which areas are at most risk of flooding when Cyclone Alfred makes landfall
School closures: New South Wales
In northern New South Wales, more than 200 schools have closed as local communities brace for impact.
"We request families in affected areas to not send your children to school for the next three days," the NSW Department of Education said in a statement on X.
"Our school staff will be onsite this morning in case the message is not received in time."
Many local childcare centres have also shut.
READ MORE: Where and when Cyclone Alfred will make landfall
Sport and other events
AFL and NRL games in south-east Queensland have been shifted or postponed ahead of Cyclone Alfred's arrival, including tonight's AFL season opener between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats.
Saturday's AFL match between the Suns and Essendon at Carrara has also been postponed.
The NRL game between the Dolphins and the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night has been relocated to Sydney's Commbank Stadium.
A Saturday night Women's A-League match at Perry Park has been called off.
Other sporting events including the Australian Boardriders Battle grand final, the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships, WPGA tournament and Mooloolaba Triathlon have been cancelled or postponed.
Junior and amateur sport events are expected to be cancelled as well.
Community events and local markets are expected to be called off across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Coalition Senator Matt Canavan also said it would be "common sense" for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to not call a federal election.
It was widely speculated the federal election would be called for April 12 this Sunday.
READ MORE: Will Tropical Cyclone Alfred impact flights this week?
Business closures
Hospitals will remain open and will provide emergency care throughout the storm, but elective surgeries scheduled for today and Friday have been cancelled.
Many businesses in southeast Queensland are closed from today, as well as council libraries, community halls, golf courses, pools and playgrounds.
Some supermarkets in Queensland are currently restocking 24/7 to meet demand as locals stock up on essentials, unsure if stores will remain open through the storm.
Supermarkets will remain open for as long as it is safe to do so.
"Following weather warnings, and to keep our customers and our team safe, Woolworths stores in the cyclone warning zone may begin closing early today," a Woolworths spokesperson said this morning.
"We aim to keep our stores open as long as possible, however our store teams will adjust their hours according to safety, advice from local authorities and team member availability."
Coles has announced several of its stores have closed today as shopping centres shut their doors. They are:
Queensland
- Coles Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
- Coles Loganholme, Queensland
- Coles Runaway Bay, Gold Coast
- Coles Benowa Village, Gold Coast
- Coles Arundel, Gold Coast
- Coles Pacific Fair, Gold Coast
- Coles The Pines, Gold Coast
- Coles Robina, Gold Coast
NSW
- Coles Ballina
- Coles Tweed City
- Coles Casuarina
- Coles Tweed Heads
- Coles Murwillumbah
- Coles Goonellabah
- Coles Banora point
- Coles Ocean shores
Airports
Airports in Queensland and northern New South Wales have started to close.
Gold Coast, Ballina, and Coffs Harbour airports have stopped operating.
Brisbane Airport remains open for now but airlines are making their own decisions about flights. Travellers are urged to stay in contact with airlines for updates.
Yesterday Qantas cancelled dozens of domestic flights in and out of the Gold Coast, Ballina and Coffs Harbour.
Several airlines offered customers booked on flights in the affected areas flexible travel options to avoid flying during the worst of the storm.
READ MORE: How to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred and what to expect
Public transport
In southeast Queensland, bus, train and ferry services have come to a standstill.
"Public transport is slated to go all through (Wednesday), but it will not be operational on Thursday and Friday," Crisafulli said.
Disruptions are also expected in parts of New South Wales, with Burns Point Ferry services in Ballina already stopped.
Road closures
No road closures have been announced in Queensland or northern New South Wales, but travellers in affected areas have been warned to avoid unnecessary journeys.
"Queenslanders need to be prepared for major roads and bridges to be closed," Crisafulli said on Wednesday.
All major roads and bridges will be closed when winds reach 90km/h.
People in Queensland are advised to monitor the QLD Traffic website for updates, those in New South Wales can monitor the Live Traffic NSW site for closures.
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