The Government Has Cancelled All Non-Essential Public Gatherings Over 500 People
But Scott Morrison is still going to the footy this weekend.
Thought Download Festival getting cancelled was bad? Brace yourselves — from Monday, the government will ban all “non-essential” gatherings of more than 500 people.
The decision comes after recommendations from Australia’s chief medical officer.
“It’s getting ahead of this to make sure we can minimise the impacts on your health,” Scott Morrison said.
#BREAKING: State and Federal Government to release advice to cancel ALL public gatherings of over 500 people. @CUhlmann #9News pic.twitter.com/acYJOouI1v
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) March 13, 2020
For context, the Enmore Theatre in Sydney has a capacity of 1,600 people (and forget any Opera House events — it can fit more than 5,700 in it). Melbourne’s Forum Theatre holds more than 3,300 people, and The Tivoli in Brisbane can fit 700 inside.
The ban does not include schools, universities or public transport.
Many people took to Twitter to discuss the ban, and question why the government is waiting until Monday to enact the shutdown.
"The fact that I will still be going on Saturday speaks not just to my passion for my beloved Sharks, it might be the last game I get to go to for a long time," PM @ScottMorrisonMP says.#auspoI
— Shalailah Medhora (@shalailah) March 13, 2020
No idea why Monday is the trigger. If it’s because of football games, this country is screwed
— Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) March 13, 2020
Massive Hillsong conference over 2 weeks finishing this weekend in Sydney. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world tightly packed in. Millions of tax free $ for our PM's best friend and mentor. No wonder there is no shut down of mass gatherings yet.
— Alison Courtice. Inner city lunatic (@alisoncourtice) March 12, 2020
Australians are also being asked to reconsider all overseas travel.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy assured people that the general risk to the Australian community still remains low.
“We want to be as far ahead of the game as any country and control the spread of this virus, and make sure we keep the outbreaks in Australia as limited as possible,” he said.