Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that schools across Australia will remain open stating that while the decision may seem “anti-intuitive”, widespread closures could cause more harm than good.

Speaking in Sydney this afternoon Scott Morrison revealed that all international travellers coming into Australia after midnight tonight would face two weeks isolation — a move similar to that made by New Zealand yesterday.

He added that states and territories will also be working on legislation to enforce people to stick to their quarantines, but stopped short of closing educational institutions.

Mr Morrison was speaking following a national cabinet meeting with premiers from all states this morning.

“Widescale closure of schools, it may be anti-intuitive, but the advice is this could be a very negative thing in terms of impacting on how these curves operate,” he told reporters today.

“The two reasons. When you take children out of school and put them back in the broader community, the ability for them to potentially engage with others increases that risk.

“The other is the disruption impact that could put at great risk the availability of critical workers such as nurses, doctors and others who are essential in the community because they would have to remain home and look after their children.

“So while it may seem anti- intuitive, there is very good reasons why you would not be moving to broadscale closures of schools. That could make the situation worse, not better.

“The states and territories are not moving in that direction.”

He did add that while closures would not be enforced now, the special cabinet would meet again on Friday.