Coronavirus Australia: How the new lockdown rules affect you

Overseas travel has been banned and more businesses and gatherings restricted. Here’s everything you need to know.

Pedestrians pass through Central Station in Sydney yesterday. Picture: AAP

Australia has gone into near total lockdown this morning with overseas travel banned, social sporting activities stopped as more non-essential services were brought to a halt in a bid to stop coronavirus.

As of midnight last night, Scott Morrison and the national cabinet had closed down more facilities and advised people to remain in their homes as much as possible.

“Leaders again call on all Australian to do their bit to save the lives of other Australians,” the Prime Minister said.

“Australians should stay at home, unless shopping for essentials, travelling to and from work — where you cannot work from home — going to school and exercising. Keep visitors to your home at a minimum. In outdoor spaces do not congregate in groups.”

The Prime Minister has used the Biosecurity Act to stop Australians leaving the country and bringing back coronavirus.

Beauty parlours, pools, libraries, and real estate auctions are now locked down alongside the national cabinet’s earlier decision to lock down pubs, clubs, restaurants, churches and casinos.

Schools remain officially open — though most states have either moved their holidays forward or encouraged students not to attend — while hairdressers will only allow 30 minute appointments and shopping centres will stay operational except food courts.

Here is how the national cabinet’s latest changes affect you and your family:

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TRAVEL
■ Overseas travel for Australians is now banned.
■ Exemptions for compassionate grounds, people who are primarily overseas residents, essential travel and travel in the national interest.

We understand that it’s stressful and frightening if you can’t get home because of border closures and flight cancellations overseas. Here’s our advice for what to do if you can’t leave the country you’re in: https://t.co/TPxkkQeOoa pic.twitter.com/Jh4mnU4l6X

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) March 20, 2020

SOCIAL GATHERINGS
■ Weddings are limited to five people.
■ Funerals are limited to 10 people.
■ No house parties or barbecues — small gatherings in homes still allowed.

FOOD AND DRINK
■ LOCKED DOWN: Restaurants, cafes and food courts open for takeaway only.
■ STILL OPEN: Supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies.

A closed establishment on Melbourne’s Chapel Street. Picture: Matrix

REAL ESTATE
■ LOCKED DOWN: Real estate auctions, auction houses and open house inspections closed.
■ STILL OPEN: Private house inspections by appointment

BEAUTY AND PERSONAL CARE

■ LOCKED DOWN: Beauty therapy, tanning, nail salons and tattoo parlours closed.
■ STILL OPEN: Hairdressers and barbers (up to 30 minute appointments, 1 person per 4sqm)

Coburg hairdresser Rima Kaake with a customer. Picture: Jason Edwards

ENTERTAINMENT
■ Cinemas closed.
■ Nightclubs closed.
■ Pubs closed.
■ Casinos closed.
■ Strip clubs and brothels closed.
■ Concert halls, theatres, arenas, auditoriums and stadiums closed.
■ Indoor and outdoor play centres closed.

SPORT AND LEISURE
■ Social sporting-based activities stopped.
■ Swimming pools closed.
■ Community and recreation centres open for essential services only (food, banking, homeless services).
■ Gyms, saunas, bathhouses, wellness centres, yoga, fitness centres, barre and spin facilities, health clubs closed.
■ Boot camps and personal training (outside or inside) restricted to 10 people.

Covers on the Harold Holt swimming pool in Melbourne following the introduction of new regulations that have closed public swimming pools. Picture: Getty Images

RESIDENTIAL
■ States to decide if hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks and boarding houses to remain open.
■ States to decide if caravan parks and camping parks remain open.
■ Permanent residents and workers excluded.

NON-RESIDENTIAL
■ Art galleries, museums, national institutions and historical sites closed.
■ Libraries, community centres and youth centres closed.
■ Community halls, RSLs and other facilities closed.