Australia is preparing to follow the United States in restricting non-essential gatherings in pubs, cinemas and restaurants on a city-by-city basis as the number of local coronavirus cases moves towards 500.

NSW and Victoria are set to be given powers to contain the spread of the virus by limiting gatherings of more than 100 people. The national cabinet, which is made up of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the state and territory leaders, is likely to give enforcement powers to the states rather than impose an Australia-wide ban.

Quiet cafes and restaurants in Ash Lane, Sydney. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The measures could see bars and restaurants forced to close down in suburbs where there is a cluster of cases via person-to-person transmission, or be enforced Melbourne and Sydney-wide as the infection rate escalates.

The number of cases in Australia reached 448 on Tuesday, with 210 in NSW, 94 in Victoria and 78 in Queensland, and the government expects up to 1000 infections by the weekend.