Nation’s leaders agree to unprecedented response to mass gatherings

Mass gathering cancellations, travel warnings, public transport and National Cabinet. We break down the announcements and what it means for you.

UNPRECEDENTED restrictions are being rolled out on a shocked nation including cancelling mass gatherings of 500 people or more from Monday and recommending against all overseas travel, with the dire situation expected to last weeks or even months.

There are more restrictions expected to come, as Australia braces for sporting matches without crowds, restricted church congregations, concerts, gigs and other big events to be cancelled as the nation locks down against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Schools, universities, childcare, workplaces and public transport will continue to run as normal, Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying the advice to cancel mass gatherings was only for “non-essential” meetings.

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Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy speaks alongside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other state leaders during the Meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Picture: AAP Image/Paul Braven

The shock decision was unanimously agreed to by Mr Morrison and all state and territory premiers on advice from Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy, as the virus increases its spread throughout Australian cities.

Sporting matches this weekend, including the Broncos-Cowboys NRL opener in Townsville, are expected to go ahead, but the situation is constantly changing as the Prime Minister and state premiers begin to work out the details of the mass gathering ban.

A National Cabinet, made up of the state and territory leaders and the Prime Minister to be advised by the nation’s chief medical officers, has been formed for the first time in Australian history.

It will meet again on Sunday, then weekly after that, as they seek to drive a united and consistent response to the pandemic in Australia.

Mr Morrison said the decision to recommend the cancellation of gatherings and advise against international travel was done in a bid to slow the encroachment of the novel coronavirus and give the health system the best chance to cope with it.

“What we are seeking to do is to lower the level of overall risk, and at the same time ensure that we minimise any broader disruption that is not necessary at this stage,” he said. “It doesn’t eliminate all risks. This is not an absolute measure. We are still in the early phases, and community transmission is at a very low level. This is incredibly important because as we slow it, as we manage it, that ensures that the national health system … will be able to accommodate the increasing demands we’d expect to see as a result of the coronavirus spread throughout Australia.”

At this stage, the cancellation of non-essential mass gatherings is only a recommendation.

A known football fan and devoted Christian, Mr Morrison last night cancelled his plans to go to a live Cronulla Sharks game on Saturday night and said his and other large church groups would likely have to limit the size of congregations.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backed the limits on public gatherings and endorsed the national cabinet.

“Everything we have done is about slowing the spread of the virus as much as possible and we have been very successful at that,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “But now we are beginning to enter a new stage and the advice is to limit large non-essential gatherings. Nominating Monday as a starting date gives people time to plan. It’s important to note this is about staying ahead of the virus. It does not apply to schools and workplaces. Those are essential.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is supporting the recommendation mass gatherings of 500 people or more are cancelled. Picture: Damian Shaw

Prof Murphy said the decision to implement the mass gathering restriction from Monday was his recommendation, with the delay being because it was a precautionary measure only.

“There’s no immediacy about this, but we need to get ahead of the curve,” the chief medico said.

The restriction of 500 people was based on advice of epidemiology, he said.

While Australians are being advised against travel overseas, a travel ban on other countries is not being considered at the moment.

With more than 100 countries now hosting the disease it was common sense not to travel abroad, he said.

Even as the groundbreaking restrictions were announced, Mr Morrison urged the public to remain calm.

“There is absolute reason for calm. There is absolute reason for proportionally responding to the challenges that we have here. I’m very comfortable about it,” he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said national public transport plans had been drawn up but assured people there was very low risk in taking the bus or train. “We will respond appropriately and there’s a lot of planning and preparation going on,” he said