What does the public gathering ban mean?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken the unprecedented step of banning all large public gatherings, in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Any indoor gathering of more than 100 people is also banned, as is any outdoor gathering of more than 500 people.

But there are a long list of exemptions based on public need.

What public gatherings are banned?

Indoor weddings with more than 100 people will have to be cancelled, or scaled back to include fewer people.

The 100-person limit would include guests, the bridal party and staff.

The same would be true of outdoor weddings with more than 500 people.

Also not exempt are religious services. Any church, mosque, temple or synagogue would be required to hold services with fewer than 100 people.

A spokesperson from the Hillsong Church confirmed to nine.com.au that all services are now only online.

Funerals with more than 100 people would not be permitted.

Concerts and theatrical performances with more than 100 people are banned.

Pubs, clubs and restaurants will not be allowed to have 100 people in the same space at the same time.

What public gatherings aren't banned?

The gathering ban does not apply for most workplaces and many public spaces.

A statement from the Prime Minister's office cites permissible gatherings based on public need.

"(The ban) does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, and mining sites, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although other social distancing and hygiene practices may be required in these settings)," the statement read.

Food markets are exempt from the limit, but stall density and the number of customers should be limited.

"In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space," the statement reads.

Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles must also be readily available.

Is public transport banned?

No.

Trains, trams, buses, ferries, taxis and ride-share vehicles will continue to operate, but the National Cabinet ruled that if unwell, people must stay at home. And while international travel is now banned, domestic flights will continue to operate.

"National Cabinet agreed that domestic air travel is low risk," the statement read.

"The issue of where people are travelling to and sensitive locations where travel should be restricted, will be developed with advice of states and territories."

Further social distancing arrangements for public transport will be considered on Friday.

What gatherings could be banned in future?

There might be more public gathering bans on the way.

When the National Cabinet meets again on Friday, new rules and guidelines could be introduced for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people.

That includes cinemas, theatres, restaurants and cafes, pubs, clubs, weddings and funerals.

"In the meantime, these venues should continue to apply social distancing and hygiene practices," the statement read.

"Settings like gyms, indoor fitness centres and swimming pools are not required to close at this time providing they meet these requirements for social distancing and hand hygiene."

What's the difference between indoors and outdoors?

In most cases, this would be an obvious question, but there are some grey areas.

"An indoor gathering refers to a gathering within a single enclosed area (i.e. an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are permanent, temporary, open or closed)," a statement from the Prime Minister's office read.

Locations like a pub beer garden or courtyard may be considered indoors, as would certain marquees for outdoor weddings or other events.