Government says big events should not proceed

The federal government will be advising against mass gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today, in response to the growing coronavirus threat.

That followed advice of the country’s chief medical officer.

Mr Morrison also advised against travel for non-essential purposes.

Speaking after a Council of Australian Governments meeting, Mr Morrison said the government’s plan was to slow transmission. 

“There’s growing evidence received overnight and today of greater community transmission of the coronavirus,” he said.

Australia has a low rate of presentations so far, and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the risk to Australians was low.