Already, workplaces are making plans for the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in Australia, given the worst-case scenario would require people to work from home.

And, the Attorney-General outlined how Commonwealth laws could be used to halt the spread of coronavirus, with possible measures including forced quarantine.

But for many careers, working from home simply wouldn't be an option, and for some of you, the thought of losing income as a result of the coronavirus crisis isn't a comfortable one.

We asked our readers on Facebook Messenger to tell us what an outbreak could mean for their jobs. Here's what you had to say.

Coronavirus is already having an impact at some workplaces

Luke C works as a teacher for primarily Chinese international students:

"I have already lost a lot of work from the coronavirus outbreak, and will continue to lose more if it isn't under control soon."

Conor O is in a similar situation, working for a Chinese-Australian accounting firm with a lot of Chinese clients:

"Some of the businesses we operate with have partially closed so we've had to adapt where necessary. Luckily we're able to work from home in the worst-case scenario."

S Anderson told us that no preparations had been made at their workplace:

"They just said that our workers currently overseas wouldn't be allowed back to work for two weeks, and we are all casual and they have been off for a month, so they are kinda up the creek without a paddle."

Rolf J runs a home office and says financially, there has already been a noticeable impact:

"Higher risk, less travel. Less international tourism last month. I am hoping this month will improve due to the number of cruise ships coming to Adelaide."

Ben O works in tourism and says if there are no bookings, he can't work.

"So far, bookings have been down (way down) with a couple of days cancelled, but that has been the extent of it — so far. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that I will continue to have work through autumn and winter, but it's difficult to know what the future holds. It's certainly anxiety-inducing as I only get paid for the days I work."

Jamie S owns three retail stores in Adelaide and says they are already being affected by coronavirus:

"Several of our key suppliers can't access stock out of China, and our foot traffic is down. On average, sales were down by 25 per cent in February. I could work from home if isolated, but most of our team have selling responsibilities which means their jobs are in the shops and require public contacts."

Tim O says he's already had half of his employment as a casual tutor cut due to his university's reliance on Chinese students:

"If coronavirus gets bad and the university shuts down or provides fewer tutorials, I could be left jobless. That would lead my income to be cut by a total of approximately $750 per week. It would be devastating for me."

Other companies are starting to take measures in response to the threat

Some office workers are able to work from home, but not everyone can. ( Pixabay: rawpixel )

Dan N says his workplace has put together a plan for the entire team to work from home if necessary:

"We are doing test work from home days to make sure we don't have any problems if the government enforces a quarantine."

Katie S says her IT job can be done from anywhere that she can connect to the internet.

"My company has allowed for anyone to work from home without requiring pre-approval to prevent anyone from bringing anything to the office. First sign of illness, we are sent home to either rest or to work from home."

Catherine A says her company is also preparing for people to work from home:

"This won't work for all roles, but we are looking at options for remote phone support for customers instead of face-to-face. Also really pushing education on hygiene and virus control."

Emma K says her workplace has taken preventative measures:

"My company has placed restrictions on non-essential travel, and is requiring employees to self-isolate if they have travelled to/through certain countries for 14 days before returning to work."

Andrew B's job is supporting and training staff in schools across Victoria:

"We're already trying to make plans about what would happen if schools are closed down. Could I still go in to my office in the city? Although schools are shut, perhaps we can ask the staff in schools to come to us? Or would we meet at a different location to conduct training? Or would I want to, with the risk of still having a gathering of 15 people in a room with me?"

But for many of you, working from home isn't a possibility — and you don't have paid leave up your sleeve

Margaret T says she has worked the same job casually for 15 years and doesn't get sick leave:

"Would have to stay home, no income. Would be devastating as I am the sole income earner. My pay is pretty low, husband unwell. We don't claim any benefits. Would be hard times for us."

Clare R is a receptionist at a dentist:

"In a major outbreak, we would certainly have to close up shop, and I would be without income as a casual employee, as far as I know."

Margaret F works as a carer:

"The care recipients are elderly and vulnerable. I will continue to assist these people, but increase my hand washing and keep physical contact to a minimum. As a casual, I do not get paid if I don't work."

Andrew A says his job servicing and repairing computers, and sorting out IT issues, can only be done by travelling to homes and businesses:

"I have already been concerned for the last few weeks about the potential impact of COVID-19. I'm concerned about loss of income due to illness or having to stay home to care for my wife or three-year-old son if they fell ill. Bills and home loan repayments don't stop when you're sick."

Edmund I is worried about what an outbreak could mean for workers in the gig economy:

"Rideshare drivers and food delivery have contact with so many people in one shift. They have no unions and no protection for their lost days of work."

If schools or childcare centres were to close, that would have other flow-on effects

If childcare centres close, some parents would have to look after their kids when they would have been working. ( ABC News: Emily Bryan )

Rachel W is a nurse at a public hospital:

"I can't work from home and would have to go to work, I'm assuming. However, without someone to look after my child who may not be able to attend school, that would be difficult as I'm a single parent."

Isabelle M is a part-time nurse with small children:

"I cannot do my job from home if schools/childcare closes. Neither can my husband. With our jobs we deal with 'scary' illnesses and diseases frequently, so, y'know *shrugs shoulders*"

Erin T says her main concern is if day care closes:

"I'd have to look after our 2-year-old, which would make working difficult!"

This is obviously also a concern for the workers. Ann B works in after-school care, and says if she couldn't do her job, she'd be in a bad spot financially because she is a casual worker:

"We have made a big emphasis on hand-washing before eating and before entering different areas. We started telling the kids to cough into their arms rather than hands."

Hospitality workers also told us how they would be affected — and mentioned the fact they interact with hundreds of people a day

Jenna K says because of the influx of customers daily, hospitality workers are at a higher risk for catching anything floating around:

"My work has taken no precautions and we are encouraged not to even mention it for fears of driving away customers."

Bruce B also pointed out that hospitality would be affected if people chose to eat at home:

"This would impact on many cafes and restaurants and students who work in these places to survive while at uni."

Patrick F says he's a permanent staff member at a restaurant, so would be one of the last to lose shifts if business died off:

"There are plenty of casual staff who will feel the pinch almost immediately if people stop going out to dinner and stay home. None of us in hospitality can work from home, we'll all be in a very tough position if business dries up."

But some readers don't think people should be worried

One of them was Rosey K:

"Yes, it is coming into contact with more and more people. However, there haven't been many cases found in Australia. I think people are panicking a lot more than they need to be."

Sylvia E said people do not need to panic:

"This fear-mongering is far worse than the virus."

Justine L said flu viruses kill thousands of people every year:

"While I appreciate global action, creating panic is not helpful."

Then there is Jared H, who says he could be left better off (but who clarified that he's not pro-coronavirus)

"I already work from home quite a bit, so it would have minimal impact on me. In fact, as an exporter, with the Australian dollar losing value I would actually be better off! (Not that I am in favour of a pandemic!)"

It's not just workplaces that could be affected by a coronavirus outbreak.

On Monday, we asked our readers if they'd been stocking up at the supermarket and the chemist just in case they needed to self-isolate or supplies were disrupted.

While some of our readers told us they weren't too worried, many of them told us they had been making preparations (one especially prepared man told us he had been buying up extra supplies since January).