'Stay indoors': Australian capital locked down as bushfires rage

Canberra's air quality was the worst of any major city in the world on Monday morning. Photo / Twitter

Thick bushfire smoke is blanketing Canberra, shutting down shops, restaurants, museums and government departments.

Even the department responsible for coordinating Australia's response to disasters and emergency management has closed its doors due to poor air quality.

The Department of Home Affairs has told staff to stay home as thick bushfire smoke blankets Canberra.

Staff have been told to stay away from Canberra headquarters for 48 hours, but some essential employees will work from other locations.

A cloudy day with hazardous air quality in the ACT today. Be informed, stay up to date and manage your health. For the latest air quality reading: https://t.co/giMpU50Uec Smoky air advisory categories: https://t.co/DLLBdU6rW7 Outdoor smoke health advice: https://t.co/2BbKWSN5lu pic.twitter.com/cD6l0c8Ymz

— Bureau of Meteorology Australian Capital Territory (@BOM_ACT) January 5, 2020

The capital's air quality was the worst of any major city in the world on Monday morning, as winds carried in smoke from bushfires in NSW.

The Department of Health relocated staff in Canberra to other offices in the city due to the smoke but otherwise operated as normal.

Canberra childcare centres also closed due to the poor air quality in the capital.

Graph of How Extremely Bad Air Quality is in #Canberra #Australia due to #AustralianFires. pic.twitter.com/M8W7UJIlNv

— Warren Day (@warrengday) January 6, 2020

YWCA Canberra said the decision to close all its centres in the capital was to protect staff and children from the hazardous air.

Shops, museums and recreational facilities all shut their doors across the capital as air quality deteriorated.

The National Gallery of Australia said closing its doors allowed it protect staff and patrons, but also the art on display.

A summer afternoon at Lake Burley Griffin, #Canberra, Australia #bushfirecrisis #AustralianBushfire #AustraliaBushfires #AustraliaFires #AustraliaBurns #AustraliaBurning #CBR #ClimateCrisis #auspol pic.twitter.com/0SiS1bSLAH

— Peter Papathanasiou (@peteplastic) January 6, 2020

The gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of Matisse and Picasso works. All Qantas flights at Canberra Airport were cancelled on Sunday due to the smoke.

Australia Post also cancelled deliveries in the capital, citing worker safety, leaving the local State Emergency Service to deliver particulate-filter masks to shops with depleted stocks.

The ACT government is warning residents to stay indoors, with windows and doors closed.