Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced new crowd restrictions, saying there will be a maximum limit of “four square metres provided per person in an enclosed space”.
In addition to banning gatherings of 100 people or more, he said venues will now be limited to four square metres provided per person in an enclosed space in a room.
It comes as the big banks unveil an $8 billion lifeline to small business by deferring loan payments, while flagging relief for residential mortgages.
Morrison says bars, cafes and restaurants are bracing for more pain from new restrictions on indoor gatherings expected to be announced by the PM today.
Australia’s borders will close from 9pm tonight, while Tasmania has shut itself off from the rest of the country.
Australia now has 786 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 382 in New South Wales, 150 in Victoria, 144 in Queensland, 42 in South Australia, 52 in Western Australia, 10 in Tasmania, four in the Australian Capital Territory and two in the Northern Territory.
Seven people have died – one in Western Australia and six in New South Wales – and 43 have recovered.
