Coronavirus restrictions: What it means for birthday parties and barbecues

The Prime Minister has placed tough new restrictions on how many people you can have over to your house for a birthday party or barbecue as the country grapples with the growing coronavirus crisis.

Backyard barbecues, birthdays and house parties must now be “kept to a minimum” with “very small numbers of guests” in order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the government says.

Speaking to the nation on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not put a limit on the number of guests allowed at such gatherings, but warned against inviting over “lots” of friends and extended family.

“Visits to your premises, to your house, to your residence, should be kept to a minimum and with very small numbers of guests. We don't want to be overly specific about that. We want Australians to exercise common sense,” he said.

“Gathering together, even around a large family table in the family home, when all the siblings get together and bring the kids, these are not things we can do now. All of these things present risks.”

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There are now more than 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia and the death toll now stands at eight. Picture: Getty Images/Lukas Coch

In some states, holding a large house party may soon become an offence, he warned.

“The states and territories will particularly be looking at that one and consider whether they will put specific measures in place that could lead to that being an offence for those who organise those kinds of events,” he said.

The government has also urged people to stop congregating in large groups outside of their homes.

“If you are gathering together in a group, say 10 people, together outside in a group, that is not OK,” Mr Morrison said.

“We have to move people on … We need you to stop doing that. It is not going to help.”

The PM advised against holding large children’s birthday parties. Picture: Stock

More than 2,000 cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed across Australia, and eight people have died.

The “stage two” restrictions, announced after a National Cabinet meeting, also include strict new limits on weddings and funerals, which in past weeks have become “major transmitting events”, Mr Morrison said.

More than 30 people were infected after attending a wedding at Stanwell Tops in New South Wales earlier this month, including a pregnant woman and NSW Senator Andrew Bragg.

"It's insane. We were kissing and hugging people all night. We can't explain it let alone believe it," the groom, Scott Maggs, told The Sydney Morning Herald.

From now on, Mr Morrison has urged people to just stay at home, unless it is “absolutely necessary” that you go out.

“These will be significant sacrifices I know,” he said.