Australians told to stop HUGGING: Chief medical officer urges people to implement social distancing and stop touching each other to stop spread of deadly coronavirus
- Australians urged to practice social distancing by nation’s Chief Medical Officer
- Hugging and shaking hands with others is discouraged, except with family
- Among extraordinary measures announced to combat spread of coronavirus
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Australians have been urged to stop hugging and shaking hands in a desperate bid to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The nation’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy announced the extraordinary measure in a press conference on Wednesday morning.
They were among a raft of measures announced when Professor Murphy and Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed the nation to combat the spread of the pandemic.
Australians are urged not to hug, except with family members. Pictured are a man and woman embracing at Sydney International Airport on Monday when new self-isolation measures were enforced for passengers arriving from overseas
Australians are now discouraged from hugging and even shaking hands as part of social distancing recommendations to keep at least 1.5 metres apart.
‘No more handshaking. No more hugging. No more – except in your family, you can do that in your family. Because you are already close to your family,’ Professor Murphy said.
He also urged Australians to give more attention to washing their hands.
‘No more scant attention to hand hygiene. Wash your hands all the time. Use hand sanitiser and practice sensible practices,’ he said.
‘And also, as the Prime Minister has said, we are in a situation now where there are mainly imported cases, small numbers.
Handshakes are also discouraged as part of social distancing recommendations (stock image)
‘There is no need for us to be in a state of heightened anxiety, but we do need to be prepared and we all need to practice this social distancing.’
Other extraordinary measures included a indefinite ban on overseas travel and non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100, effective immediately.
‘This is a once-in-a-100-year-type event,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world. Life is going to continue to change.’
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia has climbed to 454 and is predicted to rise.
The growing figure includes five deaths.
‘We have increasing numbers each day,’ Professor Murphy said.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy and Prime Minister Scott Morrison practiced social distancing when they addressed the nation with a raft of extraordinary measures