Tonight Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. He urged Australians to continue to practise social distancing and only go out if necessary.

Schools and shopping centres will remain open, as will allied health services and day cares. Australians can also still enjoy a walk with their family. The Prime Minister was very clear that gatherings at home should be limited to a “few people” and there are to be no parties.

National Cabinet confirmed and clarified the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice regarding the requirements of previously announced measures, in particular those related to non-essential gatherings and outdoor gatherings.

Additional prohibited activities and venues to apply from 11.59pm (local time) 25 March 2020:

• Cafes/Restaurants/Pubs – except takeaway and home delivery. Cafés or canteens at hospitals, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless, workplace canteens can provide takeaway
• Food courts – except delivery and takeaway can remain operational
• Auction houses, real estate auctions and open house inspections – except private inspection appointments
• Outdoor and indoor markets will be a decision for each state and territory – Food markets will continue to operate in all states and territories
• Hairdressers and barber shops – Up to 30 minute appointments and the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies in the premises.
• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours prohibited
• Spas and massage parlours – prohibited
• Casinos, gaming or gambling venues, cinemas, nightclubs prohibited.
• Strip clubs, brothels and sex on premises venues prohibited.
• Concert venues, theatre, arenas, auditoriums, stadiums except live streaming of a performance by a small group could be permissible with social distancing observed.
• Amusement parks and arcades prohibited.
• Play centres (indoor and outdoor) prohibited. (This is NOT daycares)
• Community and recreation centres except facilities may remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services.
• Health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres prohibited.
• Boot camps, personal training operating outside and inside except for outside events, limited to groups of no more than 10 people and social distancing must be exercised.
• Social sporting-based activities and swimming pools prohibited.
• Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding houses will be a decision for each state and territory excluding permanent residents and workers.
• Caravan and camping parks will be a decision for each state and territory
• Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites prohibited
• Libraries, community centres, and youth centres prohibited
• Local government non-essential facilities and services (such as libraries and pools) prohibited
• Community facilities (such as community halls, clubs, RSLs, PCYCs) prohibited
• Places of worship, weddings and funerals – Weddings with a maximum attendance of no more than 5 people and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies. Funerals attended by a maximum of no more than 10 people and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies.

Action to prevent price gouging and exportation of critical sanitary and medical products

The Commonwealth Government will take action to help prevent exploitative price gouging and exporting products that are essential to preventing and controlling the spread of coronavirus.

These measures will help prevent individuals purchasing goods including face masks, hand sanitiser and vital medicines and either re-selling them at significant mark-ups or exporting them overseas in bulk, which prevents these goods from reaching people who need them in Australia.

These measures will not be designed to affect normal consumer buying of goods, commercial imports and exports, or other appropriate bulk sales.

National political editor Michael Pachi joined Chris Ilsley on Perth Tonight to give listeners all the details.