Western Australia's pandemic plan has been released and it includes some major steps being considered to restrict the expected spread of coronavirus in the state.

School closures, business shutdowns, the cancellation of major events and public transport services — even restrictions on the number of mourners at cemeteries to allow for quicker burials — are all detailed within the document.

Here's what you need to know about the updated pandemic plan.

What is a pandemic plan?

The pandemic plan is aimed at combating a potential widespread outbreak of coronavirus. ( ABC News: Benjamin Gubana )

The WA pandemic plan outlines how government bodies, households and businesses should prepare for, and respond to, a pandemic.

It includes guidelines to minimise the number of illnesses and deaths, limit the impact on the economy and society, and maintain essential services.

When will it be implemented?

The plan covers four phases:

Prevention

Prevention Preparedness

Preparedness Response, and

Response, and Recovery

Western Australia is currently in the response phase.

Some measures have already been implemented, such as opening specialist COVID-19 testing clinics and banning most overseas travel for school groups and public servants.

Who should present to COVID-19 clinics? People who have EITHER a fever of 38 degrees Celsius OR acute respiratory infection

People who have Symptoms to look out for include fever, shortness of breath, cough or sore throat

Symptoms to look out for include or Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results. Major clinics have been set up at Perth hospitals including Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, Fiona Stanley, Joondalup, Armadale, Rockingham and St John of God Midland. They are open from 8:00am–8:00pm daily. In Southern WA a clinic is operating at Bunbury Health Campus from 10:00am–4:00pm daily. In Northern WA a clinic is operating at Broome Hospital from 8:30am–4:00pm daily. Outside these areas, people with symptoms should present to their local hospital. For more information go to the Health Department website.

What about the more extreme measures?

The more drastic steps, like school closures and major event cancellations, would only be implemented when and if coronavirus reaches "sustained community spread" throughout WA.

That's when people start contracting the virus from sources unknown.

Modelling by the WA Health Department anticipates this could begin in April, with the number of cases peaking in August.

Possible "social distancing" measures outlined in the pandemic plan include:

Temporary closure of child care facilities and schools

Temporary closure of child care facilities and schools Cancellation or postponement of large gatherings and public events

Cancellation or postponement of large gatherings and public events Restrictions on, or cancellation of, public transport

Restrictions on, or cancellation of, public transport Special arrangements for shopping hours to avoid overcrowding

"We are ready to make those calls when they're necessary and that will be informed by both the chief health officer and the public health risk at the time," WA Health Minister Roger Cook said.

Roger Cook says the WA Government will make the necessary calls to limit the spread of coronavirus. ( ABC News: James Carmody )

But the pandemic plan states "normal operations" would continue "for as long as feasible in order to minimise the impact of social distancing measures".

"For example, the closure of childcare services and schools will have an immediate impact on the community and economy if parents are unable to attend work," it says.

What does the plan say about households?

WA Premier Mark McGowan has consistently urged people not to panic buy, describing it as "unbecoming and unnecessary".

But the pandemic plan does suggest "households prepare for a possible prolonged stay at home by considering how they ensure there is two weeks' supply of food and medication on hand for all residents and pets".

What about businesses?

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 3 minutes 56 seconds 3 m 56 s Will the coronavirus push Australia into recession? Alan Kohler takes a look ( Alan Kohler )

The pandemic plan anticipates "disruption of business activities, resulting in some business failure".

It encourages all businesses to "review working from home arrangements, leave provisions and other employment arrangements as part of their business continuity planning, to ensure that they are prepared and able to implement social distancing in their workplace".