The Australian government will allocate 66.4 billion AUD (38.50 billion USD) for stimulating the economy as part of the second package to protect the country from the financial impact of the coronavirus, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The new stimulus, which exceeds initial measures of 17.6 billion AUD (10.20 billion USD) announced last week, is in line with the government’s promise to implement social distance, as many people in Australia do not appear to comply with health warnings and continue to gather in pubs and beaches in the warm autumn weather.

Australia has registered seven COVID-19 fatalities, with 1,098 confirmed infections so far.

Scott Morrison said that the government will help lend to small and medium-sized businesses and unemployment benefits as companies are forced to cut staff.

People in financial stress will also have access to 10,000 AUD in retirement funds this and next year, while some non-profit organizations and small businesses will be able to benefit from cash subsidies to retain their employees.

Australia has now announced financial measures equivalent to about 10% of the country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP), the government said.

While the rich in minerals Australia has enjoyed close to 30 years of stable economic development and gone almost unscathed during the global financial crisis, economists are now projecting a sharp cut in spending.