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Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy have addressed the nation with some more important updates about the COVID-19 crisis.
Didn't catch it and don't have time go back and watch the whole thing?
Here's a quick round-up of what went on at Tuesday's press conference.
We're 'making progress'
Mr Morrison said Australia had nearly 6,000 cases, with less than 10 per cent of those coming through community transmission.
That means most of those people were infected outside of Australia, rather than in our towns and cities.
"We have so far avoided the many thousands, if not tens of thousands, of cases that may have otherwise occurred by this point across the Australian community — and indeed the many more fatalities that could also have occurred by this point," he said.
"The daily growth rate in cases has now fallen to just a few percentage points per day. This has occurred quite rapidly.
"In fact, it has occurred well beyond our expectations.
"But we must hold the course. We must lock in these gains. It is providing us with much-needed time."
Don't go away for the Easter long weekend
With Good Friday just days away, Mr Morrison told Australians to rethink their Easter plans.
He said we had "avoided the horror scenarios" that had unfolded overseas, but how Australians behaved this weekend was incredibly important to keeping case numbers down.
"Stay at home," Mr Morrison said.
"Failure to do so this weekend would completely undo everything we have achieved so far together.
"When you normally might have gone out together as family and been out in public places and parks or going away or wherever you might have been — that is not something you can do this Easter long weekend.
"We have already seen in other countries where major festivals or events or holiday periods have been the spark for significant outbreaks elsewhere in the world.
"Make sure you follow all the rules on staying home and enjoying Easter with your own household and spending that time there, because that is what is going to save lives and livelihoods."
Not sure what this means? Head to our handy Easter long weekend explainer, where we've unpacked the rules for each state.
Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak
The modelling released on Tuesday wasn't a prediction
Mr Morrison said it would be misleading to say the data released on Tuesday would forecast how the coronavirus pandemic would unfold in Australia.
He pointed out the modelling work was based on international data and was only theoretical.
"It is not based on Australian case data and does not model Australian responses," Mr Morrison said.
"The modelling does not predict what will happen in Australia.
"It does not tell you how many Australians will contract the virus, or how many may succumb to that virus, or how long it will last in Australia."
But it will help us fight the virus
Mr Morrison said the data backs up the "flattening the curve" theory and proves that Australia is "on track".
"It confirms, based on that international data, that by taking the measures we are taking, you can make a difference," he said.
"It will help us plan the way out for now and certainly over the weeks ahead. Though the lesson is simple — and that is that we must continue to do what we are doing."
Rental issues will be dealt with by the states
Mr Morrison announced rent waivers for businesses suffering hardship due to the crisis, with a decision on Tuesday compelling commercial landlords to reduce leases in relation to their tenant's loss of income.
"It is agreed by National Cabinet today that a mandatory code will be legislated and regulated as is appropriate in each state and territory jurisdiction," he said.
"That mandatory code will apply to tenancies where the tenant or landlord is eligible for the JobKeeper Program, so that defines a tenant or a landlord who would be in a position of distress, where they have a turnover of $50 million or less.
"So the code is designed to support those small- and medium-sized enterprises, be they a tenant or and a landlord. The code brings together a set of good-faith leasing principles."
If you want unpack the decision about commercial tenancies further, have a read of our breakdown here.
People are transmitting the virus without knowing
Professor Murphy said of out of the 5,844 Australians infected with coronavirus, there were less than 100 in intensive care.
Less than 40 people currently needed ventilators, he said, adding that was quite a low number.
But he said community transmissions were concerning.
"The thing that worries us most of all is the more than 500 people who have acquired this virus from someone in the community that doesn't know they've had it," Professor Murphy said.
"That means that there are people walking around in our communities who could be transmitting this virus without knowing they've had it.
"That is why we cannot relax what we've been doing."
Your questions on coronavirus answered:
If you have chronic health issues, see a doctor
"[Doctors are] very worried that people are so frightened that they're not seeking medical attention," Professor Murphy said.
"We've set up telehealth facilities so you can have a telephone or video conference with your doctor. Or you can go and see your doctor.
"The risk is fine as long as you ring beforehand and make arrangements … Please don't neglect general health conditions at the moment."
Photo:
People with chronic medical conditions are being told not to neglect their health. (ABC News)
We'll have better data about Australia in about a week
"We now have data on nearly 6,000 Australians," Professor Murphy said.
"That data is currently in the hands of our modellers … it's still very early data yet.
"Once we have something that is scientifically valid and useful, the National Cabinet has asked us to share it with them and they will share it with you.
"It's too early to tell on the trend data at the moment, but in the next week or 10 days we'll have much better trend data.
"The data is still confounded by the noise of the international travellers. Once that's out of the system, we'll get a much better picture."
What the experts are saying about coronavirus:
Distancing measures won't be lifted any time soon
Mr Morrison was asked about when we might see social-distancing measures and restrictions on public gatherings eased.
"The restrictions are one of the many levers we have to pull in terms of getting this under control, he said.
"Where we can actually move forward again and start to ease them, that's no time soon I should stress.
"It is important that we deal with this on a week-by-week, month-by-month process.
"Where we are in a position to make changes in the future, then of course we will.
"That will be in the national interest to do that ultimately, as long as we don't compromise the other battle we face on the health front."
What about schools?
Professor Murphy said there was no reason to keep children out of school.
"We don't know whether children might be asymptomatic transmitters, but we have not found any evidence internationally of significant school-related outbreaks — we don't know," he said.
"We do think schools need to be made safe.
"The National Cabinet has asked us to come back later this week with some detailed advice on how to make schools safe, in terms of hygiene measures, reducing gatherings, practising where possible social distancing, cleaning playground equipment, all of those things.
But we believe that there is not an evidence base to say that keeping children from home is a strong public health measure on the current evidence that we have."
Mr Morrison said the final decision on whether would be closed would be left with the states, but the Commonwealth wanted to keep schools open.
"We obviously want to ensure that parents who are unable to provide a proper learning environment at home because of their work commitments, that they don't have to choose between their children's education and having a job that can feed their children," he said.
"That is not a situation we would consider tolerable."
The National Cabinet will meet to discuss education matters on Thursday, so keep an eye out for more details in the coming days.
Earlier on Tuesday, Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said that all year 12 students will finish high school this year. You can read more about that decision here.
Morrison delivered a message to children
Mr Morrison was asked to give a message to children who might be watching at home.
"I know this can be frightening and it can be scary," Mr Morrison said.
"I think some of the most heartening and cheering videos I think we've seen was where you see little kids in their bedrooms with their own little lightsaber attacking the virus. That's what it feels like sometimes in these roles.
"We will be OK, but we have to look after each other. They have to look after their brothers and sisters, mother and father, and try to be as patient with them as they can.
"When Mum and Dad or whoever is asking you to do something, I think it is important to do what Mum says.
"The thing to know is that in Australia we are one of the most safest places in the world and their parents love them very much."
What you need to know about coronavirus:
Topics: infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, covid-19
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