Australia's travel ban on people coming from China has been extended for a further week as the government enacted an emergency response plan to deal with the coronavirus.
"We believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us and as a result, as a government, we need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra today.
The plan includes preparations for extra controls at airports and ports, further quarantine measures and detailing how schools should react to any widespread outbreak.
While the global pandemic has not been officially declared, Mr Morrison said Australia is working on the basis there is such a declaration.
The turning point was new data showing the rate of cases being confirmed outside China was growing faster than those inside China.
Australia has so far had 22 cases of COVID-19, most of whom have been cleared and are now back in the community.
There has been no evidence of transmission within the community.
State and territory health ministers will meet with federal minister Greg Hunt tomorrow to discuss the next steps.
Border Force has also been asked for advice on how to step up measures at ports of entry.
Education ministers will look at what steps can be taken to further protect children.
But Mr Morrison said there was no need to cancel mass gatherings of people or stop going out for Chinese meals.
"You can do all of these things because Australia has acted quickly, Australia has gone ahead of this at this point in time," he said.
