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The Federal Government has advised all “non-essential, organised gatherings” of 500 people or more be cancelled from Monday to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement on the advice of Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy and after meeting with state and territory leaders on Friday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (second from right) listens as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) speaks during the COAG meeting in Sydney.“There are many measures that can be taken and the Commonwealth government, together with the states, have already been taking to both contain and slow the transmission of the virus in Australia,” the prime minister said.
“This is incredibly important because as we slow it, as we manage it, that ensures that the national health system, the health system run by states and territories, will be able to accommodate the increasing demands we’d expect to see.”
He said the advice does not apply to schools, universities or public transport.
Mr Morrison said he still planned to attend a rugby league match on Saturday night.
“The fact that I would still be going on Saturday speaks not just to my passion for my beloved (Cronulla) Sharks, it might be the last game I get to go to for a long time. That’s fine. In the future, I suspect, we might be watching them on television, and that’s OK as well.”
The leaders from across the country were given an update from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee which is chaired by the nation’s top health official and made up of state and territory health officers.
As part of the government’s response, a “national cabinet” is also being established with regular meetings to coordinate a unified response to Covid-19.
The government is also urging Australians to reconsider any foreign travel.
“We have also decided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that we now advise all Australians to reconsider your need to travel overseas at this time, regardless of your destination, age or health – if your travel is not essential, consider carefully whether now is the right time,” the prime minister added.
“We are effectively putting in place what is called a level three travel advice for travel of Australians overseas. This is done to protect their health and to limit their exposure.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy.Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy is reassuring Australians that all measures being instituted are precautionary.
“This is a precautionary measure on the basis of the numbers slowly increasing over the course of the last week in Australia,” he said.
“We have seen increases in numbers every day, and we will feel there will be such a point over coming weeks that it is time to take precautionary advanced measures to limit those large events where the incidents of transmission can be supported.”
On the potential for further escalations in the governmental response, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Covid-19 situation remains an “evolving” one.
“If we feel that anybody’s health is compromised, there’s a great risk to the community, we will take those decisions,” she said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.Ms Berejiklian’s Victorian counterpart, Daniel Andrews, said state leaders are unified in working together to combat the health issue.
“We are all united. We’re absolutely determined to work together to keep people well.”
Shockwaves through major sports events
The advice comes as sporting leagues around the world consider the future of their seasons.
Officials have already announced the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, two days before the race was set to go ahead in Melbourne.
Cricket Australia has confirmed Australia’s three-game ODI series against New Zealand will be played without spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground and in Hobart.
In the United States, Broadway has been closed, the NBA season cancelled, and National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and the Coachella music festival all postponed.
Ireland will also shut schools, universities and childcare facilities until 29 March and restrict mass gatherings.
Spain’s La Liga, the Dutch Eredivisie, Portugal’s Primeira Liga and USA’s Major League Soccer have also been suspended over coronavirus concerns, however Australia’s peak men’s and women’s football competitions will continue this weekend as scheduled.
In Italy, the government has imposed a blanket closure of restaurants, bars and almost all shops except food stores and pharmacies.
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