How is each state enforcing the two-person public gathering rule?

Sweeping new restrictions have now been introduced across Australia as state and territory governments act to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Following Scott Morrison’s announcement on Sunday night that gatherings indoors and outdoors must be limited to two people, from Monday morning premiers and chief ministers began communicating how those latest restrictions would be rolled out as of midnight Monday.

To put the restriction simply, you are not allowed outside with more than one person or inside with more than one person unless they are a member of your household.

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You are allowed to go for a walk as your daily exercise with your family of five, for example, without breaching the restrictions.

However, a person who lives outside of your home would not be allowed to join your group of five on that walk, as is the case for indoors.

Leaving home is also now only allowed for the following essential excursions:

• To go to work or for education when it is not possible to do so at home

• To buy essentials you need

• For medical care or compassionate needs including assisting the vulnerable

• One form of exercise a day

Victoria

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews didn’t mince his words when he addressed the media on Monday morning, announcing the new restrictions which he labelled the state’s Stage Three response.

In accordance to the prime minister’s latest tightening of the restrictions, Mr Andrews stressed Victorians are only allowed outside under four circumstances – to get medical care, to go to work or for education, for daily exercise and to go and buy the things you need.

“Unless you want to be burying an elderly relative or your best mate, or your parents, if they're younger, do the right thing. It is very, very simple. Stay at home,” Mr Andrews stressed.

Any individual found breaching the restrictions will face a fine of $1600. Mr Andews stressed Victoria Police would not hesitate in handing out fines.

Businesses found breaching COVID-19 restrictions will face fines of nearly $10,000, with the state issuing the first of its kind on Saturday for the previous restrictions in palace when six staff at a Fitzroy bar was found serving two customers drinks.

NSW

In NSW, the message from Gladys Berejiklian was as clear.

“Do not leave your home unless you absolutely have to. Do not gather more than two people outside or inside your home apart from your family,” she stressed on Tuesday.

NSW are implementing on-the-spot fines of $1000 to individuals. Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said on Tuesday that 13 of the fines had so far been handed out.

Businesses can face fines of $5000.

Late on Monday, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard ramped up the potential punishments repeat offenders could face.

Individuals can face fines up to $11,000 and six month’s imprisonment while businesses can be fined $55,000. Both can increase depending on how many days the offending continued for.

Queensland

Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk lauded the federal government's decision to restrict public gatherings to just two people, saying she is hopeful it would stem the increase in cases.

Queensland Police now have powers to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $13,345 for individuals and $66,672 for businesses to anyone breaching quarantine orders or the updated social distancing measures.

"Stay in your suburb. Practice social distancing and stay safe, and we are going to save lives if we do that," the premier said on Monday.

Western Australia

New legislation being introduced by Premier Mark McGowan will see $1000 on-the-spot fines for people and $5000 fines for businesses who disobey self-isolation and gathering directives.

Under the new laws to be introduced on Tuesday, Western Australians who don't comply with self-isolation directions will have their homes fitted with an electronic device.

Those who flout the laws, remove or interfere with the electronic device without reason will be fined $12,000 or jailed for 12 months.

“This is about maintaining our safety during the state of emergency. This is about saving your lives. We want to save your lives. Do the right thing,” Mr McGowan said.

South Australia

South Australia has refrained from implementing the two-person gathering limit and kept it at Mr Morrison’s previous restriction of 10 people.

While the state will be advising against gatherings of more than two people, South Australia Police will only enforce the 10 or more rule.

“The advice coming from the National Cabinet is that gatherings of two or more should be discouraged and we will certainly be encouraging people to take that as strong advice,” Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said.

South Australia has seen a reduction in daily cases, with just six new cases on Monday.

Tasmania

Premier Peter Gutwein said anyone who doesn't follow the new restrictions will be committing an offence and could be arrested and charged.

He urged people to take responsibility for their movements.

"There will be more deaths if this gets away from us. There will be more families burying loved ones," he warned.

The order will be in place for four weeks after which it will be reviewed.

On-the-spot fines of $750 to $1000 are being considered for those who break the ban on gatherings of more than two people.

Northern Territory

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he understood that regulations and restrictions were changing rapidly.

But he urged all Territorians to simply remember five words: "stay home if you can".

"When you're out in public, around a lot of other people, you're rolling the dice on your health and your family's health," he said.

"Instead of rolling the dice choose the safest bet, stay home if you can."

Breaching the public health act in the NT carries penalties of $1,256.

ACT

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has previously indicated the territory will follow suit with NSW’s punishments in response to the new restrictions.

"It won't be like a nuisance fine for not voting. This is serious,” he warned.

With AAP

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