Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Photo: Agencies)

Australia has moved to the third phase, or the "community phase" of the fight against COVID-19, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday.

He told reporters that Australia remains on track for the National Cabinet, which is comprised of the prime minister and state and territory leaders, to begin consider easing some restrictions in mid-May.

The federal parliament, which has been suspended since early April, will reconvene from May 12-14.

"We now have to be wary against community transmission, and so we are dealing with that third wave of the virus," he said.

"We will also be then working towards decisions that we have to make over the next few weeks, getting the key data metrics in place as to how we'll make decisions on further easing of restrictions."

According to the Department of Health there have been 6,667 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia as of Friday morning, an increase of 0.19 percent from 6,654 on Thursday.

Of the 6,667 confirmed cases in Australia, 76 have died and 5,095 have been reported as recovered from COVID-19.

Despite the elderly being at risk from the virus, Morrison issued a warning to aged care facilities that are imposing stricter visitor rules than those advised by the government.

Under current guidelines aged care residents are allowed to have two visitors at one time, per day but there have been reports of some facilities banning visits altogether.

"The very clear medical advice that we have is that these visits are quite safe when they're done in the right circumstances, and it's very important for the health of the residents that they maintain contact with their loved ones and other support people," Morrison said.

"This is very good for them. And so that's why that's necessary."

Appearing alongside Morrison, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said that 43 patients with COVID-19 are currently in intensive care units (ICUs) across Australia and 29 are on ventilators.

"We are so grateful to the states and territories for organizing this quarantine, and grateful for those Australian citizens who have put up with two weeks of quarantine to protect their fellow members of the community. And most of them have done so very graciously.

"Every single jurisdiction has now - every state and territory has now broadened their testing criteria from today.

"Anybody with acute respiratory symptoms - cough, sore throat, runny nose, cold symptoms, flu-like symptoms - can get tested. This will significantly expand the population of people tested.

The duo were speaking following a meeting of the National Cabinet on Friday, at which leaders agreed to a set of Safe Workplace principles.

"This is all about getting Australians back to work, and ensuring that when they go back to work that they and their families can feel safe in going back to work," Morrison said.

Additionally leaders agreed to develop national principles for sport and recreation.

"That is such an important part of our way of life here in Australia, and the principles that can help guide decisions by states and territories in the future," Morrison said.