The NSW Government website containing information about business closures and online learning crashed this morning, as people scrambled to see what Australia's coronavirus shutdown meant for them.

Key points: The Government advised parents to keep school children at home if possible

The Government advised parents to keep school children at home if possible Pupil absenteeism had been as high as 30 per cent last week

Pupil absenteeism had been as high as 30 per cent last week It comes as business shutdowns roll out from midday today

Moments after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian used a morning media call to tell people to visit nsw.gov.au, it began displaying an error message.

"This morning nsw.gov.au website will have specific details about which venues will no longer be able to operate in the normal way today," Ms Berejiklian said.

"This will provide certainty to businesses."

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard advised people unable to get through to the NSW Government website to try the federal health website instead.

"For me as Health Minister, I am pleased that at least people are now taking note," he said.

"Other nations are going through what can only be described as '21st Century hell' and yet we've got people cheek-by-jowl on Bondi Beach."

"What has happened today indicates that people are now taking notice — and they should."

By mid-morning, the website appeared to be working again.

NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay was not happy about the website's crash. ( AAP: Nikki Short )

NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said the website meltdown was "not good enough".

"Parents are expecting clarity but they have started the day with an utterly confusing message from the Premier," she said.

"They are told to go to a Government website to learn what they ought to do in this crisis but that website has crashed."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last night said he wanted schools to remain open, however, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has closed them in his state.

Ms Berejiklian said this morning schools in the state would remain open, but has encouraged parents to keep their children at home and utilise online learning to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Ms Berejiklian also said absenteeism had been as high as 30 per cent in some NSW schools last week.

The ABC understands its been highest in affluent areas particularly Sydney's north shore.