PM Scott Morrison’s advice to Australians to take his lead and go to the footy on the weekend has been strongly condemned by a leading infection control expert - who says even Anzac Day activities should be reconsidered.

As a slew of sporting organisations announced restrictions or suspension of weekend events, adjunct professor Bill Bowtell said it was unfathomable that the government was still leaving it up to individual sports bodies to decide on public health matters.

“The NRL season should be cancelled ... Anzac Day - there should be a big question about whether those ceremonies should be called off,” Bowtell told the ABC on Friday.

The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity professor, who was one of the leaders in the Australian response to HIV/AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s, went on to accuse the PM of “putting politics before public health”.

Crowds at day one of the third test match between Australia and New Zealand at the SCG in January. Credit: Ryan Pierse / Getty

He also took aim at Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who said he would go to the Grand Prix if he was in Melbourne tomorrow. The event has since been cancelled.

“Are you really seriously suggesting that ministers should say to Australians it’s business as usual?” Bowtell said.

“Baseball, soccer, hockey and the NBA in the United States have cancelled their seasons, Broadway has been shut down.

“These mass gatherings must not take place.

Chevron Right Icon ‘These mass gatherings must not take place.’

“We must bring down the rate of new infections of coronavirus in this country and we must do so in the next hours and days.

“It is not good enough that in the last eight weeks there has been no public education campaign.

In the video below, the prime minister calls for calm in the face of coronavirus

Play Video Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for Australians to remain calm - despite growing fears over the coronavirus. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for Australians to remain calm - despite growing fears over the coronavirus.

“In comparable countries in Asia the rates are going down. Here they are going up.”

Bowtell said Morrison’s address to the nation failed to convey the “fierce urgency” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Announcing a $17.6 billion stimulus plan in response to the coronavirus-induced slump on Thursday, Morrison urged Australians to stay calm and keep spending.

“Be assured we are taking action and we have a clear plan,” he said.

“We’ll get through this together Australia.”

State leaders will meet with the PM in Sydney on Friday to discuss coronavirus containment.

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Some are mild, such as the common cold, while others are more likely to lead to pneumonia.

The latest strain was discovered in the Chinese province of Wuhan.

How do you get coronavirus?

China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.

It’s primarily spread through a sick person coughing or sneezing on someone but a person could also become infected through contact with the virus particles on a surface, NSW Health warns.

What are coronavirus symptoms?

Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Most of those affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions.

How dangerous is the coronavirus?

The virus has caused alarm because it is still too early to know how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people.

How do you treat coronavirus?

As it stands, there is no vaccine for the virus and because it is new, humans have not been able to build immunity to it.

A group of Melbourne researchers have been tasked with finding a vaccine, while China is testing the HIV drug Aluvia as a treatment.

How do I protect myself from coronavirus?

WHO’s standard recommendations: