Australia further tightens social distancing measures
Australia is tightening its already-strict social distancing measures, using fines and threat of jail time time to enforce the new rules.
Starting at midnight on Monday (March 30), officials in the country's two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, will limit public gatherings to just two people.
The new measure is a step up from the previous limit of no more than ten people.
Australia is trying to capitalize on a slowing rate of infection.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday (March 29) the pace of new Covid-19 cases has fallen.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON SAYING:
"This time last week the rate of increase on cases was up around 25 to 30 per cent a day. That rate now, over the last few days, has fallen to about 13 to 15 percent."
Australia's banks and regulators have also taken action.
They've paused loan repayments for six months, given an extraordinary shutdown of businesses and staff layoffs.
On Sunday Morrison also announced a six-month moratorium on landlords evicting renters.
He urged businesses to hold off on more job cuts until he unveiled a third stimulus package.
The government has already announced aid worth over 100 billion dollars as Australia faces its first recession in almost three decades.
