Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet with state and territory leaders on Friday to look at the national impact of the Victorian coronavirus outbreak.
On Thursday five deaths were recorded, taking the toll to 133. As well, the number of active cases across the nation appears to be trending towards where it was back in April.
Victoria recorded , as it imposed mandatory mask-wearing in greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire and cracked down on those not properly undertaking social distancing.
State and territory leaders will be briefed via videoconference on other aspects of the economic meltdown, spelled out in .
They are also expected to deal with the issues of Indigenous wellbeing and an overhaul of the way major projects receive environmental approval, and be briefed on the timetable for easing COVID-19 restrictions and local outbreak planning.
Queensland has now identified Fairfield in Sydney's southwest as a virus hotspot and has closed its border to people from that area unless they quarantine for 14 days.
Leaders hold concerns about the situation in Victoria where almost 90 per cent of people who caught the disease over the past two weeks did not self-isolate between feeling sick and getting tested.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says staying home from work and isolating when ill or showing symptoms are critical to protecting the community and stemming the virus' spread.
A number of states are reassessing the timing of the reopening of businesses and community activities, with a new suite of COVID-19 measures coming into place for hospitality venues in NSW from Friday.
The changes include mandatory sign-ins, prepared COVID-safe plans, a cap of 300 people and maximum group bookings of 10.
Caps for private indoor and outdoor gatherings in NSW remain at 20.
It comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in NSW.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner declared Port Stephens a coronavirus hotspot on Thursday, meaning anyone who has been there in the past 14 days must undergo two weeks of supervised quarantine upon arrival in the NT at their own cost, or return home.
People from Fairfield in Sydney's southwest, along with those from Liverpool, Campbelltown and the state of Victoria who travel into Queensland will be directed to hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.
This includes those who have spent any time in the suburbs, not just those who live in them.
Fairfield was added to the list after 46 diagnoses were confirmed in connection to an outbreak at the Thai Rock restaurant at Stockland Mall in Wetherill Park.
NSW recorded 19 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, including three in hotel quarantine, with almost 25,000 tests conducted.
Signage is seen at the Thai Rock restaurant at Stockland Wetherill Park Shopping Centre in Sydney, Thursday, July 23, 2020 Source: AAP
The cluster associated with the Crossroads Hotel in Casula has grown to 56 after three new cases were reported on Thursday. Three other cases recorded on Thursday remain under investigation by NSW Health.
An aged care facility in Sydney's inner west was closed to visitors after a staff member tested positive with NSW reporting 19 new cases.
Tomaree Public School and High School, Goodstart childcare centre at Anna Bay, Woolworths supermarket at Salamander Bay Village and Fingal Bay Cafe and Takeaway have all undergone deep cleaning after being exposed to a person with the coronavirus.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
