Melbourne doctor warns Australia could see US-level coronavirus outbreak

Dr Stephen Parnis told A Current Affair that people who contracted the virus were often "surprised", as Victoria set a grim daily record of 484 new cases and two deaths.

Dr Parnis said people struggled with the idea that they either received the virus or passed it on to a loved one.

"It could be you," he said.

The good news is that Australia has had several months to prepare for a resurgence.

"We got past that first wave and ramped up our disaster readiness," Dr Parnis said.

But he warned that if the virus was allowed to spin out of control, Australia could be dealing with similar scenarios to northern Italy or the US.

And it's not just Victoria that needs to be worried.

"It's always the case that these things could spread," he said.

"The concern is that NSW could now be where Melbourne was four, five, six weeks ago."

He said it wouldn't take much for even states with "wonderful records" to see a change.

The renewed strictures in parts of Australia, he said, were "not about panic, but readiness".

Dr Parnis also backed the use of face-masks.

"Masks will make a difference if used the right way," he said.

"Any sort of face covering helps prevent the spread.

"It's not perfect, but none of the measures we have are perfect."