“States and territories will decide whether they proceed to make this an enforceable limit in the same way that the 10-person limit is already being enforced,” he said.
“But in all cases, this is the strong advice of all states and Territories, that unless it’s your household, the family, those that are living at your residence, that being with only one other person as a gathering outside is what is required.”
The move spells the closure for public areas, such as playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks.
Outdoor boot camps will be cancelled and reduced to a two-person maximum.
However, the existing restrictions on weddings - five people - and funerals - ten people - would remain.
Morrison said, given the new restrictions, there were few reasons for leaving the house.
They are shopping for essentials, for medical or compassionate care, to exercise or for work or education that cannot be carried out remotely.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy described the rules as “radical”.
“We feel that it is really important that every Australian does the right thing because for these interventions to take effect, the science shows that you need more than 90 per cent of the population to be doing it all of the time.”
Shopping centres will remain open. But Morrison flagged even that could change.
“When you are going out for shopping, you should be going for just stuff you need and do it and get home. It is not a time for browsing. It is not a time for catching up with friends or bumping into people and having a long conversation.”
All people aged over 70 should stay at home and self-isolate, where practical, for their own safety, Morrison said.
The PM's 5 New Coronavirus Social Distancing Rules
1. Social gatherings limited to two people only.
2. Playgrounds to be closed
3. Skate parks to be closed
4. Outdoor gyms to be closed and boot camps cancelled, or reduced to a two-person maximum.
5. Australians over the age of 70 strongly urged to stay at home and self isolate.
This story first appeared on www.7NEWS.com.au