Prime Minister introduces new social distancing rules for coronavirus

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says new restrictions on indoor public gatherings would require a four-square metre radius for every person.

"So for example, if you've got a room, if you've got a premises, if you've got a meeting room or something like that, that's 100 square metres, then you can have 25 people in that room," Mr Morrison said.

"That's 2m by 2m. It just simply means understanding how big the room is and then simply advising how many people can be in that room at any one time."

He acknowledged the impact this would have on restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs.

Mr Morrison said the rules would also be applying to Parliament House, with the chamber restricting itself to 100 members at a time.

The National Cabinet will now be meeting every Tuesday night and Friday morning to consider how to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

Stricter rules could be brought in place for certain areas if coronavirus cases spike there.

Mr Morrison said if there is a localised outbreak, it will trigger new rules.

"The reason I say that is we need a consistent approach to how this would scale-up in the event of outbreaks in particular parts of particular areas," he said.

"That means just because you might see something be done in Tuggeranong or Tamarama, those rules don't necessarily apply down in Gymea Bay."

Isolation rule-breakers scolded

Mr Morrison said recent overseas arrivals not isolating themselves are responsible for a spike in coronavirus cases.

"We are hearing reports of some who are saying they are in self isolation and they are out and about," he said.

"Self-isolation means exactly that."

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy implored people who have arrived from overseas to take their self-isolation seriously.

"So, this issue of quarantining when you come home is serious. This is not an advisory," Dr Murphy said.

"This is your civic duty to your fellow Australians to stay home for that entire 14 days, if you've come back to Australia. No exceptions."

Current rules require every person who has arrived from overseas to spend 14 days in self-isolation.

"If you see anyone who is not abiding by that, a recent traveller, make sure they do because we are really serious about that," he said.

"It is such a big impact on our outbreaks in the last few days."

Budget delayed

Mr Morrison said the federal budget has been delayed until October.

State and territory governments will also be delaying their budgets.

"The idea that you can actually put together any sort of forecast around the economy at this time is simply not sensible," he said.

"And, as a result, we will be putting in place the necessary measures, with the support of the parliament, on supply and other continuances to ensure the proper functioning of government services and the continuation of vital programs."

The federal budget was scheduled to be delivered on May 12.

More stimulus and support

Mr Morrison announced $444.6 million in Commonwealth funding to support aged care services.

The funding boost comes on top of $100 million announced for the sector last week.

It will include support for home care services like Meals on Wheels, which is especially vital with heightened social distancing.

State governments will work on providing rent relief for commercial and residential tenants hit hard by the coronavirus downturn.

The plan was announced by Mr Morrison following the National Cabinet meeting.

"I know that will mean something for landlords," he said.

Schools stay open

The federal government is standing firm behind its decision to keep schools open amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Morrison said an Adelaide pupil getting the disease from a teacher did not change his opinion on the issue.

"It still remains the case that the facts are that the incidents of cases amongst younger people is much lower than for the rest of the population and it is still very much the case that 30 percent of our health workforce would be compromised if schools were to be shut around the country," he said.

"We will continue to take advice and we will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said if there are localised outbreak, schools may be closed there.

"The risk to children with this virus is very low," Dr Murphy said.

"Only 2.4 per cent of all the cases in China in Hubei Province were under 19, and there have been very, very few significant cases."

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