Australians are being urged to maintain physical distancing as Victoria re-imposes restrictions to control a rise in community transmission cases.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos says the for another four weeks as 19 new cases were recorded - 15 of them involving community transmission.
Victoria's case numbers are the highest they have been in more than two months.
More than half of the new cases since the end of April have come from family members spreading it to their relatives.
'Far more important than wearing a face mask'
Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth says rather than wearing face masks, he is advising Australians to maintain physical distancing.
Dr Coatsworth said close physical contact through actions like hugs and kisses would need to be avoided at all costs.
"It is a hard thing to remember. You have to catch yourself now when you see your friends and family who you have not seen for a long time.
"These things are nonetheless important and, arguably, far more important than wearing a face mask."
He reiterated the importance of hand hygiene.
"The social distancing measures like washing hands, keeping a distance, staying at home when you're unwell and that is the mainstay we can do as individuals, personal responsibility element and then there is the restriction element that the government recommends that we do."
States to decide on reopening borders
Dr Nick Coatsworth says he will not be intervening to advise federal ministers to stop advocating for state borders to be reopened to allow interstate commerce to resume.
However, states have been holding off on re-opening borders, particularly after Victoria reported a rise in community transmission cases.
Dr Coatsworth says he respects the authority of state leaders to dictate their own timelines for reopening borders.
“It is an important thing to say that each state controls their own public-health unit and decision-making,” Dr Coatsworth said.
“But all of us in Australia want to see the outbreaks in Victoria brought under control and as a result of the meeting today of the AHPPC [Australian Health Protection Principal Committee] and the update from Professor [Brett] Sutton, we have every confidence that will be case.”
State leaders wary of providing firm timeline to reopen borders
Western Australia's government is maintaining its hardline border closure will remain for as long as there is sustained community spread of the virus in the eastern states.
Premier Mark McGowan has refused to put a date on welcoming interstate visitors and is likely to further ease restrictions within WA before opening the border.
South Australia is due to reopen on July 20 but its government is closely monitoring the situation in Victoria and has not ruled out staying closed.
Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles said the state's borders could remain shut well into next month because of a feared second wave of coronavirus in Victoria.
Mr Miles said the state will be closed until at least July 10, when the next easing of restrictions is triggered, although the reopening date may even stretch beyond that if Victoria cannot get on top of outbreaks.
Queensland's borders have been effectively shut since late March to stymie the spread of COVID-19.
"The last thing we want to do is lift the borders, have lots of people come here for school holidays, spread coronavirus in our state, and then force us to go backwards on restrictions," Mr Miles said.
"Clearly what's happening in Victoria will be a matter we will need to take into account in those considerations."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
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