For the first time in its history, Australia has lifted its travel advice to the highest possible level, while also banning non-essential gatherings of 100 or more people.
The government has raised its advice to level 4, warning residents not to travel overseas as their health and safety is "at extreme risk" worldwide. According to the SmartTraveller website, if people go overseas and get into trouble "the Australian Government may be unable to help".
"As more countries close their borders or introduce travel restrictions, overseas travel is becoming more complex and difficult. You may not be able to return to Australia when you had planned to. Consider whether you have access to health care and support systems if you get sick while overseas."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the Australian people not to go overseas for school holidays.
There are now nearly 200,000 coronavirus cases across the globe, with more than 7700 people having died. There are large numbers of cases in many different centres, including Europe, the United States and Asia. Australia has called for people to return home while commercial options are available, as New Zealand is also urging.
In Australia, more than 450 people have the illness, with five dead.
The decision to upgrade travel advice to level four comes only days after the Australian government introduced new restrictions requiring people to self-isolate for 14 days. New Zealand also has these requirements.
The essential closure of countries' borders has led airlines to pull out of routes around the world. Air New Zealand has dumped many of its usual flights, while Virgin Australia announced on Wednesday it was suspending all international flights from later this month.
On top of the travel advice, Morrison also announced that a human biosecurity emergency had been declared, empowering the Government to enforce quarantine measures. There is also now a ban on gatherings of 100 or more people indoors if the events aren't essential.
This will impact the likes of restaurants, bars, clubs and other entertainment venues. However, airports, buses, courts, school supermarkets and workplaces are exempt.
"I am telling you that, as a father, I’m happy for my kids to go to school. There is only one reason your kids shouldn’t be going to school and that is if they are unwell," the Prime Minister said.
He also called for people to stop hoarding and panic buying. There have been shocking scenes out of Australia of people fighting over toilet paper.
