Over 3,000 cruise ship passengers and staff have been barred from disembarking in Hobart, after the captain decided the risk of people becoming infected with coronavirus was too great, with five cases recorded in Tasmania so far.

Key points: Passengers and staff have only been allowed to disembark if they do not return, because of the ship operator's concerns about coronavirus being detected in Tasmania

Passengers and staff have only been allowed to disembark if they do not return, because of the ship operator's concerns about coronavirus being detected in Tasmania A number of Tasmanian market events have gone ahead as scheduled, or plan to, but have put extra measures in place

A number of Tasmanian market events have gone ahead as scheduled, or plan to, but have put extra measures in place One stallholder has questioned the wisdom of shutting markets down, "yet we're all allowed to walk around in the street together"

The MSC Magnifica, which arrived from New Zealand this morning, has docked in Hobart.

Cruise company MSC Cruises had taken the decision to stop people disembarking "to ensure [passengers'] health and safety, in response to potential risk of COVID-19", according to a TasPorts spokesperson.

The Mac 2 cruise terminal will be closed today as part of normal procedures.

At a press conference today, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the decision followed national advice on border control.

"We obviously act on the advice of the Australian border agency in terms of what occurs nationally, but controls that are set by the Australian Government are the ones we take into account, and also the advice of our own health experts and the Director of Public Health."

"My understanding is there's no outbreak of coronavirus on the ship itself and this is a precautionary measure that the ship [company] has taken."

Roger Preston-Smith said he would rather be in Hobart than "stuck on that ship". ( ABC News: Fiona Blackwood )

Roger Preston-Smith, who works on the Magnifica, decided to disembark and not return.

"They are just not letting people off if you are getting back on. They were afraid that they would infect people getting back on," he said.

"I don't think most people knew that."

Mr Preston-Smith said he had "lots of friends in Australia and I just went, 'I'd rather be out here.'"

"I knew some other people were leaving, people are leaving in Sydney a lot, but when I found this out I went, 'Do it while you can.'"

He said he was not fussed about having to forego his income.

"I don't want to be stuck on that ship, it's too stressful. They're just going to go out to sea and who knows how long it will sit there."

An MSC Cruises spokesperson said all passengers were given a consistent message.

"All passengers and crew on board were aware they are free to disembark but given today's circumstances, understand that if they leave will be unable to re-join the ship," the spokesperson said.

Another ship, the Pacific Aria, will not be stopping at Hobart and Port Arthur on March 15 and 16.

The Viking Orion is still expected into Hobart on Sunday morning, but it's not clear whether passengers will be allowed to disembark.

Local small businesses feeling the pain

The Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) commended the Magnifica captain's call to prevent passengers from disembarking.

Sea Princess cruise passengers were allowed off in Hobart. ( Supplied: Vica Bayley )

"These challenging but appropriate measures are the small sacrifices we need to make now for the longer-term good of vulnerable Tasmanians," AMA Tasmania president John Burgess said.

He said the body also supported the state and federal governments' decision to advise against large public gatherings.

A second ship, the Sea Princess, also docked in Hobart — with passengers allowed to disembark as normal.

Taxi driver Paneer Mourty was expecting passengers from the two cruise ships would provide some work for the day. Now, those prospects have been cut in half.

The taxi van he is leasing still needs to be paid for, even if he doesn't get any customers, he said.

"[It is] hard to survive as a cabbie, it's already affected by Uber and everything. This coronavirus is really affecting if we make money."

Greg Irons said his wildlife sanctuary will be affected by the loss of cruise ship tourists. ( ANC News: Rhiannon Shine )

Wildlife sanctuary operator Greg Irons said he is reliant on the cruise ship business, like many smaller operators.

"We'll have probably about five to eight coaches of people that were due to come in, that now won't be coming in."

He said his business was "certainly not in a position where you charge cancellation fees or anything like that".

"It's no one's fault, in a situation like this."

Salamanca stall holder Amanda Graham said market cancellations "affect me immensely". ( ABC News: Fiona Blackwood )

Markets, Seafest go ahead

Meanwhile, the organisers of a number of events in and around Hobart have said they plan to go ahead with the events — however that could change due to the growing crisis.

Hobart's popular Saturday market at Salamanca has taken place as scheduled, but coming markets will be re-evaluated, organisers said on their Facebook page on Friday.

Loading

"We will be holding the Salamanca Market as normal tomorrow … however, following this afternoon's advice from the Prime Minister regarding large public gatherings, we are in communication with the Tasmanian Health Department to determine what our plan will be over the coming weeks," the statement said.

"We will let you know as soon as we know."

Salamanca store holder Amanda Graham said she was confused about what is happening.

"It has to be consistent — why shut this down, yet we're all allowed to walk around in the street together? Things need to be consistent, one thing or the other, not just half and half," Ms Graham said.

"It affects me immensely, this is my income. I completely support myself and now I [would] have no income, so it's actually devastating."

She said she might have to consider going to Centrelink to see what entitlements she would be allowed.

"So it's eating vegetables from my garden and rationing out what I have to survive."

Sunday's Seafest event in Dover, south of Hobart, is going ahead, however people are being advised to observe "a number of measures in place in the lead-up to and during the event to minimise risks".

Seafest organisers said they "advise people not to attend should they be feeling unwell" and "attendees maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between themselves and anyone who is coughing or sneezing".

"There is plenty of space on the grassed areas and on the beach to spread out so bring your picnic chairs and blankets and enjoy the sea view."

Fifth coronavirus case a man in his 60s

Meanwhile, the Government has confirmed that Tasmania's fifth case of coronavirus is a man in his 60s who recently travelled in North America and Canada.

He is in a stable condition and in isolation at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the man became unwell after he arrived in Tasmania.

"Because of the period of time between him arriving in Tasmania and the onset of his symptoms, he was not infectious on his international or domestic flights," she said.

Ms Courtney also said the health system remained ready should the state see more cases.

"There's a range of scenarios that can be worked through at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

"I've been advised that we do have capacity for more cases, we do have capacity around the state for more cases."

The Health Minister indicated the Government would not be fast-tracking the opening of the new K-block if an outbreak occurred.

"We're working very closely, we want to see K-block open, however, it would be completely inappropriate for me or the Government to open a facility against expert advice," she said.

A total of 283 people in the state have been tested as of midday yesterday for the virus.

So far, all five cases of the virus in the state have ben related to overseas travel, rather than transmission within the community.