Government lays out national virus plan

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the risk of a global coronavirus pandemic impacting Australia is likely, releasing the government's Australian Health Management Plan on Thursday.

The government is currently at the "Initial action stage" which includes:

* Health Minister Greg Hunt assumes powers under Biosecurity Act.

* Enhanced border screening measures and communications with incoming travellers.

* Medical stockpiles deployed to states and territories ready for use.

* Potential outbreaks investigated.

* National response coordinated with states and territories.

The declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organisation or evidence of a large-scale, sustained transmission of the virus in Australia will move the government to a "Targeted action stage", which would see:

* Department of Health coordinating response from National Incident Room.

* Health services surging staff numbers.

* Items from the National Medical Stockpile distributed to health services.

* Consideration of any border or social distancing measures.

* Response could be scaled up or down based on spread of virus.

If infection numbers reach a level that it can be contained by normal healthcare services, government moves to "Standdown stage", which includes:

* Replenishing medical stockpiles.

* Resuming elective or non-urgent medical procedures.

* Monitoring for second wave of virus.