Cafes, restaurants and pubs face being hit with another wave of coronavirus restrictions as Australia's top health advisers recommend limiting customers in all non-essential indoor venues.

A cap of one person per four square metres for indoor gatherings has been recommended by Australia's chief medical officers and will be debated by the national cabinet on Friday.

Quiet cafes and restaurants in Ash Lane, Sydney. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The move could see a 100 square metre venue restricted to 25 people at a time, or cafes and pubs forced to police social-distancing rules through tape and barriers. It is likely to become the third restriction imposed on entertainment venues in a week as the government attempts to ward off shutdowns of schools and transport to contain the coronavirus.

Bans on all non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 or more people, and groups of more than 500 people anywhere are already in place. The measures are expected to last six months and tear through the business models of establishments across the country as thousands of staff are laid off.