Scott Morrison has issued a grim warning that further hardships are likely on the way as a result of the coronavirus pandemic as the number of cases soared overnight.
Australia saw a significant spike in the number of coronavirus cases on Monday morning with the amount of people infected jumping from 1,355 to 1,630 – with 48 cases confirmed on the cruise ship Ruby Princess – which the NSW Government allowed to dock and let 2,700 passengers disembark without test.
NSW had 136 new cases confirmed on Monday, taking its total to 669. Cases in Victoria jumped by 59 to 355, while Queensland saw 60 new cases, taking its total to 319.
The figure is expected to rise even further once the other states and territories issue an update.
The surge in figures comes as the federal government introduced strict new rules shutting down pubs, restaurants and cafes after Australians failed to take social distancing orders seriously.
The forced closure has already seen tens of thousands of people suddenly out of work.
Unemployed Australian were lined outside Centrelink offices on Monday hoping to to lodge claims for unemployment benefits and emergency assistance.
On Monday, the prime minister vowed to continue to support the most vulnerable as he warned that many more would likely lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
‘The tests, hardships and sacrifices that will be placed on all of us, on our national character, will undoubtedly break our hearts on many occasions in the months ahead,’ he said as he addressed parliament.
‘But we must resolve today, as Australians, to come together and to pledge to each other across our nation that this coronavirus will not break our Australian spirit.
‘So, together, and with the rest of the world, we face this unprecedented challenge. A once in a hundred year event.
‘A global health pandemic that has fast become an economic crisis, the likes of which we have not seen since the Great Depression.’
Australia recorded a significant spike in the number of coronavirus cases overnight
Australia has recorded a significant spike in the number of coronavirus cases overnight (pictured: A woman in a mask arriving at Brisbane Airport)
People wearing face masks walk through the empty streets in Sydney’s normally busy Town Hall
In a bid to slow the spread of the deadly illness, pubs and licensed premises will be closed from midday Monday for about six months.
The restrictions also cover places of worship, casinos, restaurants and cafes without takeaway services, nightclubs and registered clubs.
As news broke of the looming closures, panicked shoppers headed in droves to liquor stores to stock up on alcohol, however, bottle shops will remain open.
The stricter rules come after tens of thousands of people flocked beaches across the country on Friday and Saturday, ignoring the ban on mass gatherings and social distancing orders.
‘As we’ve just made very clear, that when that [social distancing] doesn’t occur, then more dramatic measures have to be introduced,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘I would simply ask Australians to be calm and exercise some sensible judgement.’
New South Wales and Victoria were pushing for a full-scale lockdown where only supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics services would remain open.
There were 48 confirmed cases from the Ruby Princess cruise ship (pictured at Circular Quay on Thursday) after it docked in Sydney
The cruise liner had been considered ‘low risk’ after a short cruise from Australia to New Zealand
The states eventually agreed to more limited shutdowns over fears their economies could collapse.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday urged the public to take personal responsibility to slow the spread of coronavirus, with police on standby if people fail to comply with the social distancing rules.
She implored people to understand the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak after social distancing rules on the weekend were widely ignored.
‘This is getting very serious and our actions have to match how serious this is.’
Her comments come as the number of COVID-19 cases in NSW jumped to 669 as of 8pm on Sunday – increasing by 136 cases in 24 hours.
This includes 48 confirmed cases among passengers on the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which docked in Sydney on Thursday, and five cases from the Ovation of the Seas ship, which docked a day earlier.
The surge in figures comes as the federal government introduced strict new rules after Australians failed to take social distancing orders seriously (pictured: people at Cronulla on Sunday)
Another case has been identified at Sydney’s Vaucluse Cottage childcare centre, with anyone who attended the centre on Monday, March 16 being contacted to self-isolate.
The premier said authorities on the weekend noticed not enough people were following the health advice and social distancing guidelines.
‘We want people to take personal responsibility…Your personal actions can result in someone getting very sick or dying,’ she said.
‘If people fail to enforce, the police are on standby to deal with that.’
Premier Daniel Andrews has also slammed punters for ‘acting selfishly’ and not following the social distancing rules.
He announced on Monday 500 police officers will form a special taskforce to ensure the rules are followed and all non-essential venues and businesses in Victoria are shut down.
Parents have also been urged to consider keeping their kids home from school if they can and do online learning instead.
Schools will stay open this week across Australia except in Victoria after NSW decided not to close overnight.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her health advice was to keep the schools open amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Surfers cross a tape at Maroubra despite the beach being closed to the public on Sunday
Beachgoers are seen at Bondi Beach on Friday despite the threat of Coronavirus
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant added on Monday morning that schools would stay open at least until the first term holidays in three weeks.
Victoria closed down all schools in defiance of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s insistence that medical advice recommends they stay open.
Mr Andrews said on Sunday all schools in Victoria would shut down from Tuesday and he would push for other states and territories to follow suit.
The Victorian school term was originally scheduled to end on Friday and holidays will be brought forward four days.
A decision whether to reopen schools on April 14 after the term one holidays will be determined following advice from Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.
‘All measures to be implemented by Victoria are consistent with the health advice provided by the Victorian Chief Health Officer,’ Mr Andrews said.
Some Victorians have welcomed the stance by their leader, others questioned whether the shutdown will apply for child care centres.
As news broke of the looming closures, panicked shoppers headed in droves to liquor stores to stock up on alcohol, however, bottle shops will remain open
Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach is usually filled with thousands of sunbathers, however, government closures meant no one can step foot on the sand