Coronavirus Australia: Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces tough restrictions as virus cases increase

Aussies will face strict restrictions on social interactions after a National Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with heartbreaking changes to weddings and funerals.

Australia’s strict lockdown has tightened to restrict social gatherings, with weddings and funerals limited to no more than five and ten people respectively, Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed tonight.

In an effort to quell the spread of the deadly coronavirus, “stage two” restrictions put in place after a National Cabinet meeting have included a ban on social gatherings in people’s own homes, as well as weddings and funerals with multiple guests.

From midnight tomorrow night, weddings and funerals will need to adhere to strict guidelines, Mr Morrison said.

“Weddings can continue to be conducted where it is just the couple, the celebrant and the witnessnesses. No more than five people,” he said, adding that the “four square meeting rule has to be observed within the venue in which that is taking place”.

“Large gatherings for weddings, sadly, won't be possible under these new arrangements.”

But perhaps the most heartbreaking restriction came in his next statement, with families mourning loved ones limited to having “no more than 10 persons” at funerals.

“Sadly, also, and I know this will be very difficult, funerals to no more than 10 persons observing the rules around the 4-square metre rule and the social distancing practices.

“This is not an easy decision,” he explained.

“Where we have already found, and Dr Murphy can speak to this, some of the events that have been some of the major transmitting events, it has been exactly these types of events, particularly weddings. And that is why, regretfully, we have to be able to put these arrangements in place.”

Stage one restrictions announced on Sunday included ordering pubs, clubs, hotels, gyms, cafes, cinemas, casinos and restaurants to close.

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Religious gatherings and places of worship as well as funerals were also ordered to observe restrictions ruling that people remain subject to the 1 person per 4 square metre rule.

On Sunday the Prime Minister’s office would not confirm when stage two restrictions might be undertaken, however several states broke ranks and moved to shut down schools and non-essential services.

Australian coronavirus cases passed 2000 on Wednesday with eight deaths so far.

Minister Health Greg Hunt said further restrictions were likely. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The new restrictions come after the advice of academics recruited by the government over how to fight coronavirus amid reports it could infect up to 15 million Australians if left unchecked.

The group urged a “go now, go hard, go smart” strategy, Sydney Morning Herald reports.

It’s estimated around 20-30 per cent of Australians would not comply with social distancing orders.

Experts warned leaders they need to seize a “vital window” of opportunity to stop the spread of the disease.

Health Minister Greg Hunt told Australians on Tuesday further measures were likely. He said banning clubs, pubs and gyms was “not the last stage, and I think I should be very upfront and honest about that”.

“The general direction, obviously, is about people spending more time at home, obviously keeping the distance,” Mr Hunt said.

“House parties, they’re out, let me be absolutely clear on that.”

The Australian government appears to be following a British-style approach that has favoured a staggered lockdown of businesses rather than a full-scale suppression.

On Monday evening UK-time, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson banned public gatherings of more than two people and said people should only leave the house for exercise, for food and only go to work if absolutely essential.