Scott Morrison has become emotional during a television interview while discussing the impact of the coronavirus crisis on Australians.
The Prime Minister spoke on the Paul Murray Live show on Sky News and was asked about which social distancing restrictions were the toughest to impose.
“There have been so many hard things,” said Morrison.
“The one that really tears me up is how many people have had to deal with loved ones who’ve passed away and go through funerals with so few people there.”
Current restrictions only allow a maximum of 10 people to attend a funeral to help slow the spread of the virus.
Morrison fought back tears while speaking about the human toll of such a drastic measure, describing the scenario as “just horrible”.
“We need … let’s look forward to good days, mate. They’re going to come. They’re going to come.”
He also spoke about his eagerness to see kids back at school properly as soon as possible.
Despite the Chief Medical Officer deeming it safe for children to go to school, many states and territories have advised parents to keep them home.
“I think we can achieve that, classrooms full and kids learning again … that’s what I’m most keen to see. It’s something I’m very much looking forward to.”
Speaking about restrictions more broadly, which have impacted everyone’s daily lives, Morrison is optimistic that Australia can dial it back sooner rather than later.
“I don’t want to keep a restriction in place a second longer than we have to,” he said.
Morrison said Australia has already reached its turning point and that “we’re already on the way back” to a more normal existence.
“We got to where we are quicker than I thought we would. I hope we get to where we want to be quicker.”
But he stressed that “we can’t get impatient” and rush the process.
“Impatience on these things could lead to a worse situation where we have to lockdown again. The economic pain of that would be worse – that’s what I’m trying to avoid.
“This thing can move like rapid fire. It writes its own rules. We don’t get to tell it what to do. We have to be able to manage it and stay on top of it.”
Once restrictions have been eased, the PM warned that there will continue to be outbreaks.
“And we will get more cases – it just means we have to be careful … to not let it run away from us.”
This article originally appeared on Over60.