Timeline: How coronavirus spread from China to Australia

December 12

First case of novel coronavirus is detected in Wuhan, China. It is not disclosed for several weeks.

January 7

Chinese authorities confirm they have identified 2019-nCoV.

January 9

A 61-year-old man from Wuhan is the world's first death linked to the virus.

January 20

Chinese authorities confirm the virus can spread from person-to-person, with coronavirus added as a listed human disease under the Biosecurity Act of 2015.

January 21

Additional proportionate border measures are in place in Australia, with biosecurity and border security staff processing passengers from three direct flights a week from Wuhan to Sydney.

January 24

The level of travel advice for ​​​​​​Wuhan and Hubei province in China is raised to level four: "do not travel".

January 25

The first case of coronavirus in Australia is confirmed – a man from Wuhan travelled on flight CZ321 from Guangzhou to Melbourne on 19 January.

A further three men test positive for COVID-19 in Sydney after arriving in the country on January 6, 19 and 20.

January 27

Australia's fifth case is recorded after a NSW resident tests positive.

January 29

Scientists at Melbourne's Peter Doherty Institute become the first to recreate the coronavirus, as Australia records seven confirmed cases: one in Queensland, two in Victoria, and four in New South Wales.

January 31

The World Health Organisation declares a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of coronavirus.

February 3

More than 200 Australians are evacuated on Qantas flights from Wuhan and quarantined on Christmas Island for 14 days.

February 5

Two Australians on the Diamond Princess cruise ship contract coronavirus as it's quarantined off Japan.

February 5

Australia announces a 14-day ban for non-citizens arriving from China

February 11

The global death toll passes 1000.

February 19

The 180 Australians stuck on the Japanese cruise ship are evacuated to a quarantine camp in Darwin, with four later testing positive for coronavirus.

March 1

A Perth man rescued from the Diamond Princess becomes Australia's first fatality.

March 3

The country records its second fatality after a 96-year-old woman in Sydney aged care dies.

March 7

The global cases hit 100,000

March 9

Australia records its third coronavirus related death after an elderly Sydney man in another aged care home dies.

March 11

The WHO declares coronavirus a global pandemic

March 12

The Morrison government pledges a $17.6 billion stimulus package as the first roll-on effects of coronavirus are felt on the economy

March 15

The national death toll hits five

March 17

A human biosecurity emergency is declared in Australia as national death toll rises to six

March 18

Government places ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, raises international travel advice to peak level - 'do not travel'

March 19

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin announce suspension of all international flights with 20,000 workers stood down.

RBA slash to record-low 0.25 per cent at an emergency meeting.

All non-citizens and non-residents are banned from entering the country. Tasmania announced a 14-day quarantine on people entering the Apple isle and an 81-year-old NSW woman dies, bringing the national toll to seven.

March 20

Three people on the Ruby Princess cruise ship docked in Sydney with the 2700 passengers and crew urged to self-isolate after three people test positive.

March 21

Australians are widely criticised for ignoring social distancing measures after thousands flocked to Bondi Beach.

The number of coronavirus cases in NSW has ballooned to 436 after 83 new cases were identified in the state, taking the national total past the 1000 mark.

March 22

Global death toll climbs past 11,000.

Morrison government announced a series of measures to help casual workers, sole traders, retirees and those on income support as part of its second $66 billion stimulus package.

An additional 97 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in NSW, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 533.

The Federal Government says around 3000 Aussies remain stuck on cruise ships around the world.SA Health announced the number of confirmed cases in the state had risen by almost 50 per cent in 24 hours.

March 23

The Prime Minister announced tough new restrictions on social distancing across the country in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus as pubs, clubs and restaurants are forced to close.

March 24

Chaos at Centrelink offices around the country as thousands of Australians tried to register with the welfare agency for the first time.

Ruby Princess cruise passenger dies from coronavirus.

March 25

Weddings, funerals, and birthday parties shutdown and Australians banned from travelling overseas in wide-ranging new restrictions announced by PM.

Victoria deploys 500 police officers for the daily task of enforcing the closure of non-essential services and the mandatory 14-day self-isolation for travellers.

Virgin Australia stands down about 8000 of its 10,000 workers.

March 26

Shuttered shops, empty streets and queues at Centrelink offices will be the new normal as tighter restrictions came into effect.Queensland Health confirm a 68-year-old man has died from the coronavirus.

Global death toll breaks 20,000Long queues have formed across the New South Wales and Queensland border after all non-essential visitors are locked out

March 27

The hotspots for coronavirus cases in Australia have been revealed to be in New South Wales and Victoria as both states consider more severe lockdowns.

Australia's COVID-19 death toll rises to 13.

April 2

The government announces free childcare for essential workers.

April 4

Australia's death toll hits 30. Globally coronavirus cases surpass 1 million.

April 5

NSW Police begin criminal investigation into the Ruby Princess cruise ship debacle. WA closes its borders.

April 6

The Ruby Princess docks at Port Kembla. Supermarkets announce shopping limits for certain items.

April 8

The JobKeeper package passes in the Senate. Wuhan, the origin city of the coronavirus pandemic, reopens.

April 9

NSW MP fined for breaching social distancing restrictions.

April 11

The global death toll surpasses 100,000. Queensland tighten their border restrictions.

April 12

Easter services livestreamed across the nation as Christian holiday is celebrated in isolation for the first time in Australia's history.

April 15

Coronavirus cases around the world surpasses 2 million.

April 16

The government announce $165 million backing for Qantas and Virgin Airlines.

April 17

The reopening of wet markets sparks outrage among Australian politicians.

April 18

Virgin receives $200 million bailout. SA records no new COVID-19 cases for the first time since pandemic hit Australia.

April 19

A second death is recorded at a Sydney aged care facility that is identified as the source of a COVID-19 cluster.

April 20

Queensland records no new cases of COVID-19.

April 21

Virgin enters voluntary administration. Bans on some elective surgeries are lifted.

April 23

The Ruby Princess cruise ship leaves Port Kembla.

April 25

Australians #lightupthedawn from their driveways and homes to commemorate Anzac Day.