Six months of chaos: Scott Morrison tells Australians coronavirus will force them to change the way they live until SEPTEMBER – and 'it could be longer'
- Mr Morrison called for the nation to work together to slow the spread of the virus
- Further restrictions may be placed on indoor gatherings, medical experts say
- The total number of cases in Australia has reached more than 360
- Globally, more than 170,000 people have been infected across 157 countries
- AFL and supermarkets have made significant changes to reflect COVID-19 threat
- Prime minister introduced self-quarantine measures and gathering restrictions
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Australians will likely have to change the way they live for at least six months as parts of the nation shut down to combat coronavirus, the prime minister has warned.
Scott Morrison's announcement regarding the length of time Australians could be impacted comes as states and territories declare public health emergencies, giving officials greater powers to detain people or restrict movements.
The Coalition leader is also looking at ways to further boost the economy following the announcement of an initial $17.6billion stimulus package.
Mr Morrison called for the nation to work together to slow the spread of the virus, but acknowledged Australians will face greater restrictions as they seek to carry on with their lives.
ustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, 12 March
More than 170,000 people around the world have been infected with the coronavirus, and at least 6,512 have died
Pictured: People waiting outside Royal Melbourne Hospital to be tested for coronavirus
'This will be a difficult six months. It could be longer. It could be sooner than that,' he told ABC radio on Monday.
Queensland Nationals senator Susan McDonald has become the second federal politician to test positive for the virus, after Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was diagnosed last week.
Senator McDonald had not been in direct contact with Mr Dutton and had not been overseas, but had been in Canberra last week.
The total number of cases in Australia has reached more than 360, while the deaths of a 77-year-old and 90-year-old take the toll to five.
The country's deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said 80 per cent of cases would be mild and not require hospitalisation.
Anzac Day services and marches have been cancelled in NSW, Western Australia and Tasmania with other states reviewing their commemorations, while some schools around the country are planning to close.
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Large groups of people attend Hillsong Church Colour festival as Prime minister announced non essential gatherings of more than 500 people should not take place from Monday
Non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned, all people arriving from overseas must quarantine themselves for 14 days, and cruise ships are barred from Australian ports for at least 30 days.
People arriving in Australia will be allowed to transit to their home state if they are well upon arrival, but not if they're sick.
The nation's top medical officers met on Monday to consider whether leaders should place further restrictions on indoor gatherings.
Meanwhile, the prime minister, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann considered further economic measures.
The government last week announced $17.6 billion in support for small and medium businesses and cash payments to people on welfare, but recognises there will be a deeper-than-expected economic impact.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, March 12
Pictured: International passengers arriving at Sydney airport. Anybody who arrived after midnight on Monday March 16 has been told they must self isolate for at least 14 days following their return to Australia
Sporting stadiums will sit empty even if games do go ahead because of the restrictions on non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people. Any games played in stadiums during this period will not have any live crowds
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said the initial package isn't enough to avert a recession.
Poor business confidence means they're unlikely to take advantage of depreciation measures while pensioners and people on welfare are likely to save much of their cash payment.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said individual workers were going to need more help.
'There are many casuals and sole traders, the sort of people who work one-on-one, by themselves effectively, as contract workers - they are going to be severely hit in some circumstances by this downturn,' he told Sky News.
Aviation market analysts CAPA warned that without government assistance, the massive drop off in travel means most of the world's airlines will be bankrupt by the end of May.
Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham acknowledged the impacts on travel and the tourism industry are dire.
'This is going to go on for some time and I fear it will get worse before it gets better,' he told radio station 4CA in Cairns.
As many as 80,000 people are likely to require intensive care simultaneously if the virus continues on its current trajectory, health authorities warn
Shelves are empty of toilet rolls in a supermarket in Sydney on March 4 as people rush to stockpile supplies
The Reserve Bank has pumped extra liquidity into banks to ensure people have access to credit, and financial regulators announced they would meet the big banks and lenders to talk about supporting those who may struggle with mortgage repayments.
Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia have declared a state of emergency while Tasmania will force all people coming to the island state to fill out passenger arrival cards.
Professor Kelly said it remained the situation that most people in Australia who had the disease had caught it overseas, but the nation was at a 'tipping point' with new cases having no overseas link.
Asked whether people should start working from home, he said Australians needed to start thinking about what could be done in terms of personal isolation.
NBN says it will work with retailers to ensure there's enough capacity to keep up with increased residential demand during the day.
Employees are increasingly being told to work from home in a bid to reduce human-to-human contact and the spread of coronavirus (stock image)
