Two more people have died of the coronavirus, taking the national death toll to 43.
A 90-year-old man and an 87-year-old woman – who had been on the Ruby Princess cruise ship – died in New South Wales on Monday.
The man was a resident at Opal Care in Bankstown where two people have now died from the virus.
Gladys Berejiklian warned that social distancing is ‘a way of life’ until a coronavirus vaccine is found.
New South Wales recorded 49 new cases on Monday, down from 57 new cases on Sunday
The New South Wales Premier said that even when restrictions are eased, residents will have to stay 1.5metres apart.
‘The reality is that until we find a vaccine, we all have to live with this virus,’ she said.
‘And no matter what restrictions there are in the future, no matter what restrictions are potentially eased in the future, until a vaccine is found, social distancing is a way of life now. That is the new normal.’
New South Wales recorded 49 new cases on Monday, down from 57 new cases on Sunday.
Health officials say the slowdown in the rate of new cases each day shows the restrictions on daily life and social distancing measures have successfully flattened the curve.
But they are cautious about the rate spiking again.
Officials are urging Australians to maintain social distancing measures despite the rate of coronavirus cases falling.
Deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd says Australians can’t let their guard down because community transmissions are occurring.
‘I know it’s really challenging for many people with the self-isolation that’s occurring, with the restriction of activities, but we are doing this to help each other, help ourselves and save lives by stopping the spread,’ he told Nine on Tuesday.
The government’s coronavirus modelling will soon be released to show how the virus has spread and will potentially offer a glimpse at how long strict measures will be in place.
The prime minister and state and territory leaders are meeting on Tuesday where they will discuss the modelling as well as relief for commercial tenants.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who is yet to see the modelling, says Australians deserve to know what’s driving decision making.
‘I think it will build trust and will encourage support for the measures that have been put in,’ he told the ABC.
‘We’re all in this together.’
A scaled back parliament will meet on Wednesday to pass the government’s $130 billion wage subsidy plan, which will see eligible employees receive a $1500 fortnightly payment.
Younger people in particular have been warned about being complacent, given that people aged in their 30s are among the worst-affected patients.
Scott Morrison has wished British Prime Minister Boris Johnson a speedy recovery after he was admitted to intensive care after contracting the disease.
Medical professionals administer COVID-19 tests at the Bondi Beach drive-through on April 6
‘Thinking of you, your family and all our UK friends at this tough time,’ Mr Morrison said.
The nation’s leaders and medical experts are now starting to look at how and when to start easing the tough restrictions in place to slow the disease’s spread.
That will include a consideration of how prepared the health system is for an increase in cases and what effect lifting particular measures would have.
More than 5800 people have coronavirus in Australia and 41 people have died.
Governments are concerned that people will be tempted to breach restrictions on movements and social distancing rules over the coming Easter weekend.
Popular beaches in Sydney and Queensland closed on Monday as people continued to flock there.
