Australia’s health authorities are considering whether it would be worthwhile relaxing the requirements on people who are able to be tested for coronavirus.

Currently, only people who have returned from overseas in the past fortnight, or those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case for a prolonged time, are eligible to be tested.

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But Chief Health Officer Dr Brendan Murphy alluded to an expansion of the testing requirements on Friday.

“We are now testing all aged care workers because aged care is such a crucial area,” he said.

“We will be testing healthcare workers with influenza-like illnesses, all people presenting to hospital with pneumonia, in addition to the usual criteria of returned travellers and contacts.

Australia has ramped up its efforts to contain coronavirus and limit the economic side-effects. Credit: AAP

“As this pandemic develops, we will be continuingly reviewing the testing criteria.”

The announcement was one of several made during a press conference in Canberra on Friday.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that, following recommendations from health experts, a limitation of one person for every four square metres would be imposed on non-essential indoor gatherings.

Earlier measures meant that only 100 people could gather at an indoor space that was deemed non-essential.

Venues deemed “essential” include offices, supermarkets and Parliament.