Two men faced court today wearing handcuffs and face masks, accused of causing "public alarm" related to the threat of coronavirus in two separate incidents.

ACT Policing said they arrested 57-year-old David Topley at about 3pm yesterday, after he allegedly refused to obey a request to leave a Canberra premises, and then spat on a number of tables.

Court documents said Mr Topley, of Hackett, was asked to leave by the manager of a Northbourne Avenue restaurant after he sat down at one of their tables.

The restaurant had stopped serving meals to seated patrons earlier in the week, in line with new restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Topley allegedly responded to the request by "standing up and inhaling hard, forcing nasal mucus to collect at the back of his throat, then spitting multiple times on the restaurant table and ground, laughing and stating that he has the coronavirus."

Police were called, who later located Mr Topley on nearby Bunda Street, where they placed a p2 respirator mask on him and placed him under arrest.

They also stated the restaurant manager was "very distressed by the incident due to the current global health pandemic".

The second man charged, 28-year-old Gionata Carnino from O'Connor, was arrested after he allegedly became angry with staff at the YHA in Canberra's CBD over nightly rates, before coughing at them.

Police said Mr Carnino kept coughing at staff through the shutters even after they closed them, and claimed he had coronavirus.

When police arrived, he revealed he had been ordered to self-quarantine after a recent trip overseas. His quarantine period, to be conducted at a Surfer's Paradise hotel, ended on March 25.

Police said it was not yet clear if he had complied with the quarantine order. The defendant was not offered an interview at the time due to his intoxicated state.

Both defendants were charged with causing public alarm and remanded in custody.

The ACT's Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold said his office had a responsibility to pursue the charges in the interests of public safety.

ACT Policing reminded the community that "threats involving COVID-19 will be treated seriously and penalties, including jail time, can be imposed".

Nine new coronavirus cases in the ACT

When asked about the incident at a press conference this afternoon, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said "that behaviour is absolutely unacceptable".

She also separately confirmed another nine COVID-19 cases in Canberra, bringing the ACT's total to 71.

The new cases include six males and three females, aged between 48 and 73.

ACT Health said seven of the cases are linked to overseas travel, including cruise ships, and one is a close contact of a confirmed case.

The ninth case is currently under investigation by Health Protection Services.

Who should get tested? COVID-19's main symptoms are fever (above 38C), cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Seek medical help if you: recently travelled overseas or on a cruise ship, and developed symptoms within 14 days of returning to Australia

recently travelled overseas or on a cruise ship, and developed symptoms within 14 days of returning to Australia were contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you developed symptoms within 14 days of last contact

were contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you developed symptoms within 14 days of last contact are a healthcare or aged-care worker with recent onset of symptoms, irrespective of travel history

are a healthcare or aged-care worker with recent onset of symptoms, irrespective of travel history live in a high-risk setting (e.g. aged-care or other care facility, boarding school, operational military setting, detention centre) and have symptoms

live in a high-risk setting (e.g. aged-care or other care facility, boarding school, operational military setting, detention centre) and have symptoms have links to an area where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred in Australia, and have symptoms If you wish to be tested, call your GP, visit the drive-through testing centre at EPIC or the Weston Creek walk-in centre, or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. See the ACT Health website for more information.

There are now six COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals, with the rest isolating at home with ACT Health support.

Two cases have recovered from COVID-19 and have been released from self-isolation.

A total of 3,988 negative tests have been returned in the ACT.

Seven people who flew into Canberra on an international flight this morning are self-isolating in a hotel as per the Federal Government's new mandate, but could still be sent to finish their isolation period at home.

The government's rules surrounding returning travellers are to come into effect by 11:59pm Saturday, but the ACT's Chief Health Officer still has the power to review the quarantine arrangements after 48 hours.

Canberrans urged to stay home

In this afternoon's press conference, acting ACT Chief Health Officer Vanessa Johnston echoed Chief Minister Andrew Barr's previous comments about Canberrans staying home this weekend.

"Our message today from ACT Health is to minimise the amount of contact you have with other people outside your household," she said.

Yesterday Mr Barr told Canberrans to stay home over the weekend to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"The only people who should be out of the homes this weekend in Canberra are those who absolutely have to," he said.

Mr Barr said even those hoping to get some exercise needed to keep your distance from everyone except those family members you're living with.

"You must do so carefully, avoiding other people wherever possible," he said.

There are also new restrictions from ACT Health limiting one person as a support person for a woman during labour.

Hospital patients are also restricted to having one visitor per day.

"These are very difficult decisions to make and we know there are many Canberrans who will be impacted," ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

"These will help to contain the spread of COVID-19 and decrease demand for services."