Government steps up coronavirus efforts

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON CORONAVIRUS

NUMBERS

* 756 confirmed cases in Australia

* Seven deaths

* Globally there are about 246,000 cases and have been over 10,000 deaths

INDOOR GATHERINGS

* Those in offices, restaurants or other spaces should ensure there is four square metres per person. So a room of 100 square metres should only have 25 people in it.

* All people should keep a minimum of 1.5 metres from other people.

SCHOOLS

* Schools to remain open.

* NAPLAN testing has been cancelled for 2020.

TRAVEL

* From 9pm AEDT Friday, all non-Australian citizens or residents will be banned from entering the country. Direct family members will still be allowed.

* National cabinet will consider on Tuesday further travel restrictions which will apply in the Easter school holidays. But people planning holidays should "reconsider any unnecessary travel".

ECONOMY

* Banks have offered to defer loan repayments from small and medium sized businesses for six months, after the Reserve Bank cut interest rates to 0.25 per cent and took other steps to relieve pressure on lenders.

* Banks are also looking at easing pressure on mortgage holders.

* RBA governor Philip Lowe gave a presentation to the prime minister and premiers on Friday.

* The government is still working on a package to help businesses and those who find themselves out of work. The package is expected to be announced on the weekend.

* Federal budget has been delayed until October 6. States will also look at deferring their budgets.

* Government has "no plans" to nationalise major companies that provide key services such as aviation.

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

* States and territories to nominate specific areas which will be subject to entry restrictions, to minimise the spread into vulnerable communities.

* Some travel exemptions will apply, including for medical treatment, food and medical supplies, mental health and domestic violence support and emergency services.

HOUSING

* States to identify greater protections for commercial and residential tenants. Model rules to apply in hardship cases.

* Rental assistance is expected to flow to people who are forced to move onto welfare payments.

PARLIAMENT

* Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese to meet on Sunday to discuss future sittings of parliament.

* Parliament sits this coming Monday to debate and pass the virus-related economic stimulus package.

TESTING

* All aged care workers will be tested.

* All health care workers with cold-like symptoms will be tested.