Defence task force deals with coronavirus

Australia's Department of Defence has created a task force for the military's response to the coronavirus.

Lieutenant General John Frewen, the deputy director of the Australian Signals Directorate, is leading the task force, a Defence spokesman has confirmed to AAP.

It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets with state and territory leaders on Friday to fine-tune the nation's response to the virus, which is expected to include guidelines on when mass events should be cancelled.