Australians have been advised to stay home unless they are doing essential tasks under new provisions introduced by the government amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister has stopped short of a lockdown but says the country is moving to ‘Stage Two’ of restrictions.

Stage One was declared on Sunday (March 22), which closed loads of non-essential services like gyms, movie theatres, places of worship, pubs and clubs.

The next level up will see further restrictions on things like weddings (which can only be five people) and funerals (only 10 people) and personal training (less than 10 people at one time).

These measures will come into effect at 11:59pm tonight (March 25).

The government has also banned more social activities, including:

• Amusement parks and arcades
• Indoor and outdoor play centres
• Community and recreation centres, health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre, spin facilities, saunas, wellness centres, boot camps
• Social, sporting-based activities and swimming pools
• Galleries, museums, national institutions, historic sites, libraries, community centres, non-essential facilities, community facilities such as halls and PCYCs
• Food courts in shopping centres will no longer be permitted, though takeaway can continue
• Auction houses
• Outdoor and indoor markets will be addressed specifically in individual states and territories
• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons and tattoo parlours

Hairdressers and barbers will be allowed to stay open however social distancing rules will still apply and appointments must be 30 minutes or less.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a press conference that these things might sound difficult to some, however it is necessary to stop the spread of Covid-19.

“We are not unconscious of the real impact these measures are having on the lives of daily Australians so we will continue to do everything we can, both as a Federal Government and at state government and territory governments around the country, to do all we can to support our people through what is going to be an incredibly difficult time,” Mr Morrison said.

“And by following common sense rules, and doing the right thing. “That’s how we slow the spread of this virus and that’s how we save lives. It also means that when we all do that, that we can potentially limit further economic harm from other measures.”

Mr Morrison added that people should avoid having friends, family and loved ones over unless it’s necessary.

“So that means barbecues with lots of friends, or even family, extended family, coming together to celebrate one-year-olds’ birthday parties and those sorts of things, we can’t do those things now,” he said.

“We are very keen to put restrictive measures in place without completely destroying life as we know it.”

The Prime Minister said the states and territories are looking at legislation to make it a criminal offence to have a large social gathering like a party at your home.

At the moment, schools will reopen when the holiday break is over as that is the current advice.