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Australia bans all overseas travel, limits social gatherings amid COVID-19 pandemic

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Kyodo News

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an outright ban on all overseas travel for Australians late Tuesday amid a raft of new restrictions designed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.Following a meeting with state and territory leaders, Morrison said previous &quot;do-not-travel&quot; warning issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will turn into a ban from Wednesday.&quot;No one should be getting on a plane and going overseas. We have been making the point for some time,&quot; Morrison said at a press conference in Canberra.The prime minister also announced a long list of new restrictions on social gatherings, including limiting weddings to five people and funerals to 10, and closing businesses such as nail salons and beauty parlors.Hairdressers and barbershops will be allowed to continue operating, but appointments will be limited to 30 minutes.The restrictions, which begin from midnight Wednesday will also place a ban on social and sporting activities, including in swimming pools, and will extend to auction houses and real estate open homes.Other nonessential businesses including pubs, cinemas and gyms were closed on Monday while restaurants and cafes were restricted to takeaway only.The premier stopped short of enforcing a total lockdown similar to those seen in Britain and Italy, but said all Australians &quot;should only go outside to do to those essential things&quot; such as buying groceries or seeking medical attention.Most Australian states and territories have closed their borders to domestic travel as the country reported 2,136 confirmed cases including eight deaths from the virus.In neighboring New Zealand, the number of cases rose nearly 50 percent in one day as the country prepared to enter a month-long lockdown. Forty new cases of coronavirus were confirmed Tuesday, bringing the total to 155.&quot;Recent travel from overseas is still the main driver of our new infections,&quot; the Health Ministry said.Alert Level 4, during which schools and all nonessential businesses or services will be closed for four weeks, will take effect from 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an outright ban on all overseas travel for Australians late Tuesday amid a raft of new restrictions designed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an outright ban on all overseas travel for Australians late Tuesday amid a raft of new restrictions designed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.