Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged people to cancel all non-essential travel in bid to protect Australians from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The national cabinet will meet tonight to find a way to force Australians to adhere to social distancing, after beach-goers ignored the advice at Bondi Beach this week.
“What happened at Bondi Beach yesterday was not okay,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“And served message that Australians are not taking these issues seriously enough.”
The meeting was scheduled to take place on Monday night but it has been brought forward as the coronavirus crisis worsens.
Attempts to implement social distancing in Byron Bay today. Main Beach still open… for now. @nbnnews #coronavirusaustralia pic.twitter.com/XX5RG0T2TJ
— Bronte Gildea (@BronteGildea) March 22, 2020
The Federal Government also unveiled a second economic stimulus package, worth $66 billion.
Small businesses will be able to access cash payments up to $100,000 to keep their staff employed during the crisis.
Welfare recipients will receive another $750.
The Jobseeker Allowance, previously called Newstart, will be temporarily doubled providing people with an additional $550 a fortnight.
The payment will available to sole traders and casual workers.
Casual workers impacted by the Coronavirus will also be able to access up to $10,000 from their superannuation this financial year.
Today’s measures follows a $17.5 billion stimulus package which was announced last week.
