Australia's attorney-general warned Monday that citizens suspected of carrying the coronavirus may fall foul of the country's strict biosecurity laws.

Speaking during an interview with CNN affiliate Sky News Australia, attorney-general Christian Porter said there are a range of powers available that will allow the government to control people’s movements, as it handles outbreaks such as the novel coronavirus.

He said detention may be an option for those who refuse to cooperate with health officials, which could compel detainees to “undergo a brief decontamination or provide information on where they have been or who they have been in contact with.”

The government will also consider declaring “human health zones” that will require everyone entering or leaving a certain area to be screened.

31 cases confirmed in Australia: The warning came as the country confirmed an additional case of novel coronavirus in Queensland Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 31, Queensland Health announced in a statement.

The latest patient is a 20-year-old man from China who had traveled to Dubai for more than two weeks before entering Australia, it added.

The man is currently in a stable condition.