Coronavirus travel ban: PM bans Australians from leaving the country

Australians have been banned from leaving the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced tonight.

"We had previously had a 'do not travel' warning on Smart Traveller, in terms of overseas travel. This will turn into a ban," he said.

READ MORE: New Australian COVID-19 restrictions revealed

Mr Morrison said the government's new security powers would reduce overseas travel "dramatically" during the global coronavirus outbreak.

He said there would be exceptions, including for people involved in aid work.

READ MORE: Coronavirus updates

"People shouldn't be doing it right now. That is the advice. No-one should be getting on a plane and going overseas," Mr Morrison said.

"We have been making the point for some time."

"The direction is being worked on overnight. As soon as that direction is signed off by the health minister, it will come into force then and that will happen tomorrow."