A series of new restrictions have taken effect across the country from midnight.

Indoor and outdoor meetings will be limited to a maximum of two people, with a few exceptions.

People have been urged to stay home unless shopping for essentials; leaving for medical or compassionate care; exercising outdoors while distancing; or if they must work or study and can’t do so from home.

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There are now 4,245 confirmed cases across the country.

That includes 1918 in New South Wales, 821 in Victoria, 689 in Queensland, 305 in South Australia, 355 in Western Australia, 66 in Tasmania, 78 in the Australian Capital Territory and 14 in the Northern Territory.

A total of 18 Australians have died from COVID-19, with Tasmania and the ACT announcing their first deaths today.

Our live coverage has ended for the day, here’s how it played out