Australia effectively bans 'non essential' gatherings of 500 people

Mass public gatherings of more than 500 people will be effectively banned across Australia, locking out crowds from the AFL, Rugby League and concerts as the government attempts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The emergency measures, which will not include schools or universities, will be enacted from Monday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison address State Premiers and Chief Ministers during a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on Friday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a national cabinet made up of state premiers and territory chief ministers would be formed to deal with the crisis. The Department of Foreign Affairs has also advised all Australians to reconsider their need to travel to anywhere in the world.

"Only essential travel should be considered if you are going overseas from this point forward," Mr Morrison said.

State premiers, chief ministers and Mr Morrison were given the advice by Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy at the Council of Australian Governments meeting on Friday.

"There was growing evidence of greater community transmission of the coronavirus throughout Australia," Mr Morrison said. "The goal here is very straightforward. It is simply to slow the rate of transmission of the coronavirus within Australia."

Mr Morrison advised against holding non-essential organised public gatherings with crowds of more than 500 people, effectively banning a number of sports and cultural events from allowing spectators to attend. The Royal Easter Show and Bluesfest have been contacted for comment.

He said essential gatherings of more than 500 people would continue.

"Parliament is essential. Going to school is essential. Going to work is essential. Going and getting about your normal business, going to university lectures, and taking your kids to preschool, these things will continue," Mr Morrison said.

"This step we are flagging for Monday is just about a scalable precautionary response."

Mr Morrison said he would still be attending the Rugby League on Saturday, two days before the advice comes into effect.

"It might be the last game I get to go to for a long time," he said.

The Prime Minister said churches would have to consider holding multiple services if they had gatherings of more than 500 people.

The decision follows a surge in the number of coronavirus cases globally to 128,343. Italy, France and New York have all banned mass gatherings.

Nine new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, were diagnosed in Victoria overnight, taking the number of infections in the state to 36. A further 14 cases were diagnosed in NSW, taking the state total to 92.

The Australian Formula One Grand Prix was cancelled on Friday morning as fears mounted over the exposure of fans to the virus. Up to 300,000 spectators were expected to file into the race track in Melbourne over the weekend.

Fans were also banned from Australia's one day international cricket match with New Zealand in Sydney on Friday, forcing the teams to play behind closed doors.

The Australian Medical Association has called for a national health emergency to be declared.