Updated March 22, 2020 23:35:39

Photo: China shut down provinces of Wuhan and Hubei in January. (ABC: Steve Wang)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared the situation is now "deadly serious".

The need for Australians to distance themselves from each other has become paramount in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.

As COVID-19 cases spiral, the Government is implementing greater restrictions on movement.

But things are changing quickly. On Sunday night, Mr Morrison announced places like pubs, indoor sporting venues and churches would be closed by midday on Monday.

Please visit abc.net.au/coronavirus for the latest news.

Right now, can I leave my home?

On Sunday morning the Prime Minister requested Australians now stay at home, unless the travel is "essential".

"Those holidays that you may have been planning to take interstate over the school holidays are cancelled," he said.

He also foreshadowed "far more draconian" measures to be applied in coming days.

At Sunday night's press conference, Mr Morrison said that Australians would not be confined to their homes.

But even without Mr Morrison's intervention, interstate travel has been curtailed.

Western Australia and South Australia have joined Tasmania and the Northern Territory in requiring visitors to isolate for 14 days upon arrival, effectively closing the borders.

Breaking down the latest news and research to understand how the world is living through an epidemic, this is the ABC's Coronacast.

So what is non-essential travel?

Holidays and avoidable interstate trips were cited by the Prime Minister as travel that must be scrapped.

On the other hand, he said going to the shops, going to work and "other important tasks" are essential and would be allowed.

Where should Australians draw the line?

"Common sense," Mr Morrison said, with consideration of the threat of the virus to the community at large.

"It is not just about each of us individually but the person standing next to us, the person who lives across the road, the elderly resident in the same apartment building as you."

Going to school remains essential while schools remain open.

Then why have people been out and about?

Some businesses have ignored Government advice and increased the threat of the virus to the community.

Despite bans on indoor gatherings above 100 people, outdoor gathering of more than 500 and restrictions on space to one person per four square metres, the weekend was marked by reports of busy bars, cafes and even beaches likes Bondi.

"What happened at Bondi Beach yesterday was not okay," Mr Morrison said.

"And it served as a message to federal and state leaders that too many Australians are not taking these issues seriously enough."

What business will be closed?

On Sunday night, Mr Morrison announced a crackdown on public venues.

From midday on Monday, the following businesses will be closed:

• pubs
• clubs
• cinemas
• casinos
• nightclubs
• indoor places of worship
• gyms
• indoor sporting venues

What businesses will be left open?

Under the new measures, cafes and restaurants will be able to operate, but only to offer take away and delivery services.

Hotels will be allowed to continue operations in an accommodation capacity.

• supermarkets
• banks
• petrol stations
• pharmacies
• convenience stores
• freight and logistics
• food delivery
• bottle shops
• hairdressers and beauticians

Who is going to stop me from leaving my home?

Both state and federal governments have enacted emergency powers that give them the right to fine and even jail people who breach lockdown orders.

Queensland has already been using police to check on people in isolation.

An expanded police presence in affected areas in New South Wales and Victoria has also been flagged.

On Sunday night, Mr Morrison said further restrictions would be considered if social distancing measures were not adhered to.

How long will the lockdown last?

The Prime Minister has previously warned it will be at least six months before things go back to normal.

"The more we work together, the more we share the load," he said.

"The more we share the sacrifice, the more we do the right thing together as Australians, the more lives we will save, the more livelihoods we will be able to preserve and the stronger we will all be on the other side."

It's not yet clear whether you can catch the virus a second time after initially recovering, or how that will apply to lockdown arrangements.

Topics: government-and-politics, economic-trends, health, business-economics-and-finance, travel-and-tourism, covid-19, australia

First posted March 22, 2020 17:30:59