The Australian government has ruled that non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 or more people will be banned due to the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said non-essential doesn't include an airport, public transport and facilities, medical and health service facilities, aged care, courts or tribunals, food markets, supermarkets, office buildings, factories and mining sites, schools, child care facilities, and other places where people are transient like busy market streets.
However, things like weddings, movie theatres, restaurants, bars, religious gatherings, sporting matches and other places that you don't have to visit and includes more than 100 people will be banned.
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Mr Morrison said a two to four week nationwide lockdown has not been advised by health officials.
He said: "It does not achieve anything. We have to be in this for the long haul."
People visiting aged care facilities will only be able to do so for a short time, with two people only at one time, in an area that adheres to social distancing.
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"In cases of end of life: I know that people will want to see their elderly parents or relatives or others. I totally understand that," Mr Morrison said. "Aged care facilities will have the discretion to put in very strict arrangements to enable people to visit their loved ones if that is the situation that that resident finds themselves in."
Based on the advice from the Chief Medical officers across the country, schools have been advised to stay open during the pandemic.
Mr Morrison said Covid-19 affects young people differently and they have seen how Singapore has kept school facilities open and not seen an increase in coronavirus cases.
Mr Morrison ruled that outdoor public gatherings can still have a maximum capacity of 500.
He said we should be expecting life as we know it to change for the next six months as the pandemic continues to spread across the world.
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The Prime Minister also said the travel advice for the entire planet is at level four, which is the first time that has ever happened.
People have been told not to go overseas to ensure they don't contract Covid-19.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "If you're already overseas and wish to return to Australia, we recommend you do so as soon as possible by commercial means.
"You may not be able to return to Australia when you had planned to. Consider whether you have access to health care and support systems if you get sick while overseas.
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"As more countries close their borders or introduce travel restrictions, overseas travel is becoming more complex and difficult.
"If you decide to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible. Commercial options may become less available."
Mr Morrison also advised people to stop stockpiling essential resources out of fear of a nationwide lockdown.
"I can't be more blunt about it. Stop it. It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.
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"That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary.
"There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies in fear of a lock down or anything like this."
Several supermarket chains have introduced measures to crack down on behaviour like this but it's still causing many shopping aisles to be cleaned out.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: News, coronavirus, Australia