Second wave risk remains as COVID-19 restrictions ease nationwide

Health authorities are warning Australians to approach their newfound freedoms with care, for fear of sparking a second wave of COVID-19.

States and territories have begun lifting restrictions on outdoor and indoor gatherings and business operations, following weeks of measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd yesterday said people cannot afford to be complacent.

"The pandemic is not over. The risk to vulnerable people remains significant," he told reporters in Canberra.

Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone said there was still a risk the virus could flare up as hotspots or small outbreaks.

The number of cases in Australia stood at 7036 on Saturday after 20 new cases were reported over 24 hours.

The death toll from the pandemic remained at 98.

The new cases included 11 in Victoria – which now stands at 98 – with two of those connected to the west Melbourne abattoir cluster.

Elsewhere, a McDonald's restaurant in the north Melbourne suburb of Fawkner has recorded an additional case, with the outlet's cluster growing to 11.

There was only one new case in Queensland, with 193 people testing negative for the virus at the North Rockhampton Nursing Centre after a nurse was diagnosed with the disease on Friday.

In NSW there were three new cases, while Tasmania recorded its first case in a week, a 70-year old man who was on the ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship.

Coronavirus: what you need to know

How is coronavirus transmitted?

The human coronavirus is only spread from someone infected with COVID-19 to another. This occurs through close contact with an infected person through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands or surfaces.

How can I protect myself and my family?

World Health Organisation and NSW Health both recommend basic hygiene practices as the best way to protect yourself from coronavirus.

Good hygiene includes:

• Clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser;
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or your elbow;
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms;
• Apply safe food practices; and
• Stay home if you are sick.

For breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play. You can also get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Reported with AAP.