Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that non-essential mass gatherings of 500 people or more will now be banned as of Monday 16th March due to the spread of coronavirus.
The decision came from recommendations from Australia’s Chief Medical Office Doctor Brendan Murphy who advised the Prime Minister and State Premiers.
Non-essential mass gatherings will include events such as football games and church groups.
The Prime Minister has reiterated that people should still go about their everyday lives.
“We are not suggesting people should interrupt their normal daily work. It’s just avoiding those particular circumstances where the transmission can be accelerated,” Professor Brendan Murphy.
Essential gatherings include parliament, school, university, daily work and public transport. Shopping centres are not included in the ban.
Coronavirus update: Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy has advised the PM and state premiers to implement a ban on mass gatherings of more than 500 people. https://t.co/cs4f1CB4Il #Coronavirus #7NEWS https://t.co/Ma5seRGJ2c
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) March 13, 2020
The Prime Minister also said that the government has also raised the travel advice to Level 3, recommending that Australians only travel if it is essential to do so.
