All non-citizens and residents will be banned from coming to Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday.
Australia has progressively shut down its borders, already introducing a compulsory 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in Australia, including citizens.
The new ban applies to anyone who is not a citizen, permanent resident or immediate family member.
It applies from 9pm on Friday, giving time for people to make plans.
Qantas is suspending all international flights, other than some flights to help Australians get home. Qantas is standing down 20,000 workers.
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"These arrangements will enable over the next 24 hours or so for people to make other arrangements, if they were intending to come to Australia," Mr Morrison said.
"For Australians, of course, they will be able to return and they will be subject, as they already are, to 14 days of isolation upon arrival back in Australia."
Eighty per cent of virus cases Australia were from overseas or from direct contact with someone who has returned from overseas.
Mr Morrison has already told Australians to get home if they can, on on Wednesday said Australians should not travel overseas.
The government has upgraded its travel advice to the highest level for the first time.
"Do not travel abroad, do not go overseas," Mr Morrison said on Wednesday. "That is a very clear instruction. For those of you who were thinking of going overseas in the school holidays, don't."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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