Rules around social distancing in public indoor gatherings in Australia have been ramped up amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed in a press conference that venues will only be able to let in one person per four square metres.

Speaking to the media, Mr Morrison said: “What we are now moving to is an arrangement for gatherings of less than 100, is that they would be four square metres provided per person in an enclosed space, in a room.

“So that’s 2m by 2m. So for example, if you’ve got a room, if you’ve got a premises, if you’ve got a meeting room or something like that, that’s 100 square metres, then you can have 25 people in that room.”

The move will likely have big ramifications on restaurants, cafes, gyms, bars and other areas where people can gather together.

They will have to workout how much space they have and only let in the prescribed number of people at any given time.

Previously, Mr Morrison said indoor public gatherings of 100 or more people will be banned. However that left the door open to small spaces catering for dozens of people in a confined space, which could help spread the virus.

That’s why this new measure has come into effect.

Speaking to 2GB Radio, Mr Morrison added: “When people are in closer contact, particularly enclosed spaces, that spreads the virus.

“We spread the virus, when it happens too quickly, elderly people are under great threat.”

“We have to slow the virus and that means there are circumstances where we will have to restrict the number of people in enclosed spaces.”

The new ruling will only apply to non-essential public indoor gatherings.

Mr Morrison said this week that essential indoor gatherings include airports, public transport and facilities, medical and health service facilities, aged care, courts or tribunals, food markets, supermarkets, office buildings, factories and mining sites, schools, child care facilities, and other places where people are transient like busy market streets.