UPDATE: Non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500 banned

PREVIOUSLY: Schools, shopping centres and major public transport networks could be shut down if a ban on mass gatherings is announced by the prime minister Scott Morrison.

Such a massive shift in the government’s position is on the cards after reports emerged of advice Australia’s chief medical officer, Dr Brendan Murphy, gave to Sydney’s COAG meeting on Friday afternoon.

Murphy told the PM, state premiers and senior ministers that, to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, the government must implement a ban on mass gatherings of more than 500 people.

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