The Prime Minister has advised against all overseas travel and banned gatherings of more than 100 people as the country battles the coronavirus outbreak.

The drastic travel advice, in place from now, marks the first time in Australia's history that the government has told citizens not to go to any country.

There are still flights available but Australians abroad have been told to come home as soon as possible in case they are cancelled and they are stranded overseas.

The Prime Minister also banned large non-essential gatherings, shortened aged care visits and put 20,000 student nurses to work.

But, on the advice of doctors, he stopped short of closing schools and initiating a full-scale lockdown as seen in France, Spain and Italy.

The Prime Minister (pictured today alongside Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy) has vowed to keep Australia running as we combat the coronavirus

New measures Advice not to travel overseas - domestic flights are still fine Ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 100 20,000 international student nurses will be put to work Aged care visits shortened and limited to two people per day Schools will be kept open Advertisement

In a speech on Wednesday morning, Mr Morrison warned Australia 'won't look like it normally does' for the next six months.

'We are looking at a situation of at least six months for how we deal with this. It could be much longer than that,' he said.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said a total lockdown would not help.

'A short-term, two-to-four week shut down of society is not recommended by any of our experts. It does not achieve anything. We have to be in this for the long haul,' he said.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also slammed people hoarding food.

'Stop hoarding. I can't be more blunt about it. Stop it,' he said.

'It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.'

The Prime Minister vowed to keep Australia running despite the drastic measures.

'We are going to keep Australia running. We are going to keep Australia functioning,' he said.

'Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world. Life is going to continue to change as we deal with the global coronavirus,' he said.

A woman lands at Brisbane International Airport on Wednesday

Mr Morrison referenced the Spanish flu crisis of 1918 when he said: 'This is a once in 100 year type event. We haven't seen this sort of thing in Australia since the end of the first World War. But together, we are up to this challenge.'

The measures announced on Wednesday stopped short of those taken by countries like Italy, Spain and France which have forced citizens to stay indoors and only leave for buying of essentials and medical visits.

Mr Morrison said his national cabinet of state leaders and medical experts will meet online from now on.

Travel

This is the first time in history that Australians have been told not to go abroad.

Mr Morrison said: 'We are upgrading the travel ban on Australians to level 4 for the entire world. That is the first time that has ever happened in Australia's history.

'The travel advice to every Australian is do not travel abroad. Do not go overseas.'

On Tuesday, Australians overseas were urged to return home as soon as possible and would-be holidaymakers told to 'reconsider their need for travelling'.

'If you're already overseas and wish to return to Australia, we recommend you do so as soon as possible by commercial means,' the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

For students who were expecting to graduate in 2020, most have already been notified that the event has been cancelled

Gatherings

The Prime Minister also said non-essential gatherings of more 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors have been banned.

The ban does not apply to public transport, medical facilities, prisons, parliaments, supermarkets, constructions sites, mining sites and other essential gatherings.

'That is effective now, as of today, and those arrangements, in terms of the legal enforcement of those measures are being put in place by the States and Territories,' Mr Morrison said.

When asked about sports like AFL and NRL, Mr Morrison said it was up to them to consider if they could operate within the bounds of those restrictions.

Both leagues had announced they intended to proceed with their seasons as scheduled but without fans attending.

What gatherings are allowed? Public transport (including stations, platforms, stops, trains, trams, buses) Medical and health service facilities Emergency service facilities Disability or aged care facilities Correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals Food markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, retail stores, shopping centres (if gatherings of that size are necessary for operations) Office buildings, factories, construction sites, mining sites (if necessary for their normal operation) Schools, universities, education facilities and child care facilities Hotels and motels and other accommodation facilities which includes things like mining camps Public places like Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall and Federation Square, and Sydney's Martin Place Parliaments Airports Advertisement

Nurses

Mr Morrison also announced that 20,000 international student nurses who are already in Australia will be allowed to work so they could help bolster efforts to combat the disease.

The Prime Minister said: 'We have also made a decision yesterday to lift the restriction on work constraints on student nurses who are in Australia.

'That is some 20,000 international student nurses who are in Australia, they have been in Australia for some time, we're not importing nurses into Australia, that would be against the travel advice and bans that have been in place for some time.

'But those 20,000 student nurses we have in Australia, they are going to be available to help and support the health effort right across the country, as directed by our health officials.'

Australian travellers were urged to make their way back home as soon as possible and 'reconsider their need for travelling'

Care homes

Those who have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days, and people who have returned from overseas in the same time period, are forbidden from visiting elderly relatives.

Aged care facilities must also implement limit visits to a short duration, and limit visits to a maximum of two visitors at one time per day to reduce the risk of transmission.

'These may be immediate social supports, family members, close friends, or professional service or advocacy workers,' Mr Morrison said.

'Visits should be conducted in a resident's room, outdoors or specific area designated by the facility rather than communal areas where the risk of transmission to other residents is greater.

There should be no large group visits or gatherings, including social activities or entertainment to be permitted at this time.

'No school groups of any size should be allowed to visit aged care facilities.'

Mr Morrison also said visitors should be encouraged to practice social distancing where possible, and maintain a 1.5 metre distance when possible.

Sporting matches as we know it have been scrapped for the foreseeable future. Events which haven't been cancelled will not host live crowds. Pictured: Couple at the Manly Sea Eagles NRL game on Sunday wearing face masks

Food Hoarding

Mr Morrison is urging Australians to stop hoarding food and other supplies as supermarkets struggle to cope with shortages amid a coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

The prime minister said the panic-buying chaos sweeping grocery stores across the country has been one of the 'most disappointing things' he has seen in 'Australian behaviour' in response to this crisis.

'That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing,' he said as he addressed the nation on Wednesday.

Scott Morrison is urging Australians to stop hoarding food and other supplies as supermarkets struggle to cope with shortages amid a coronavirus pandemic lockdown

'It is distracting attention and efforts that need to be going into other measures, to be focusing on how we maintain supply chains into these shopping centres.

'It's ridiculous. It's un-Australian, and it must stop, and I would ask people to do the right thing by each other in getting a handle on these sorts of practices.'

He also asked people to refrain from 'abusing staff', as footage emerged online of customers verbally attacking supermarket employees because they couldn't locate goods.

Social distancing

Australians have been urged to stop hugging and shaking hands in a desperate bid to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The nation's Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said such close contact should be restricted to close family.

Australia has banned hugging, except with family members. Pictured are a man and woman embracing at Sydney International Airport on Monday when new self-isolation measures were enforced for passengers arriving from overseas

'No more handshaking. No more hugging. Except in your family, you can do that in your family. Because you are already close to your family,' Professor Murphy said.

He also urged Australians to take care with hand hygiene.

'Use hand sanitiser and practice sensible practices,' he said.

'And also, as the Prime Minister has said, we are in a situation now where there are mainly imported cases, small numbers.

'There is no need for us to be in a state of heightened anxiety, but we do need to be prepared and we all need to practice this social distancing.'

Schools

Several countries around the world have closed schools to combat the virus and many Australian schools have unilaterally decided to shut - either due to cases of coronavirus on campus or as a precaution.

But Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said schools should not be closed as children are the least vulnerable to the virus.

He said even in China's Hubei province, which was the original epicentre of the illness, only 2.4 per cent of cases reported were in young people.

'We believe very strongly that it's in the best interest of our children and the nation at this time to keep schools open,' he said.

Epping Boys' High School had to be briefly closed after a student was infected but was re-opened

Dr Murphy said a range of new measures will be initiated in schools such as extra hand washing and no assemblies.

'It will be hard for schools, but it would be much, much, much harder for society if the schools were closed. We want our children to be looked after in schools,' he said.

The Prime Minister said 30 per cent of health workers would not be able to go to work if schools closed.

'We all love our kids and there is nothing we wouldn't do for them. I am telling you that, as a father, I'm happy for my kids to go to school.

I am telling you that, as a father, I'm happy for my kids to go to school Scott Morrison

'There is only one reason your kids shouldn't be going to school and that is if they are unwell,' Mr Morrison said.

Some public and private schools have already opted to shut their gates.

'That is up to them,' Education Minister Dan Tehan told the Today Show.

The government has decided not to close schools for two reasons.

'One is we have to look after our workforce and especially our medical workforce,' the minister said.

'Up to 30 per cent of our medical workforce could be impacted if schools close.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 26,651 Victoria: 19,835 New South Wales: 4,166 Queensland: 1,149 Western Australia: 659 South Australia: 466 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 26,651 CURRENT ACTIVE CASES: 1,340 DEATHS: 810 Updated: 9.56 PM, 13 September, 2020 Advertisement

'The second reason is a health reason. If you have kids at home often elderly grandparents have to come in to look after them and that puts them at danger.'

'The health advice is that schools should remain open,' the Prime Minister said.

Recent cases in schools, including Epping Boys' High School and Willoughby Girls High School in Sydney, have resulted in them closing down for cleaning, but reopening within days.

Airlines

Australia's ailing airlines will be handed a $715 million federal government lifeline to help the sector through the coronavirus pandemic.

A range of government charges will be refunded and waived to help airlines under immense pressure as travel plummets.

The government will forgo fuel excise, air service charges and regional security fees.

The move is expected to create an upfront benefit of $159 million, with the government refunding charges paid since February 1.

Restaurants are likely to offer people take away options to stay afloat. Pictured: Outdoor seating at a cafe on Lygon Street, Melbourne

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the package was designed to put Australia in the best position to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

'Our airlines run on tight budgets at the best of times and these past few weeks have been particularly tough,' he said on Wednesday.

'I've been speaking with Australian airline executives every day and will continue to work with them to make sure they receive the support they need.'