National News

Mainland China has reported no new locally transmitted cases of coronavirus for the sixth time in eight days as Hubei province, where the virus was first detected, opened its borders.

The chief health officer for NSW says it will take at least seven days for medical experts to gauge the success of widespread shutdowns implemented across Australia to tackle COVID-19.

Tourists in Tasmania have been bluntly ordered to go home, with travellers told to leave all accommodation and return interstate.

Australia's two biggest states are eyeing tougher lockdowns of daily life as the nationwide coronavirus death toll rises to 13.

A cruise ship passenger in his 70s has died of COVID-19 in Western Australia, taking the national coronavirus toll to 13.

Northern NSW residents want their side of the border with Queensland shut as well so travellers can't head south as part of the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The border has shut, schools are closed and dozens more people have been exposed to coronavirus after a man who tested positive visited three bars and restaurants on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The bushfires royal commission has delayed its opening hearing as coronavirus restrictions force a move to virtual meetings.

Three men in their 70s have become the first Victorians to die from coronavirus and more people in the state could die from the condition in the coming days.

The US Senate has unanimously backed a $US2 trillion ($A3.34 trillion) bill to help unemployed workers and industries hurt by the coronavirus epidemic, as well as providing billions of dollars to buy urgently needed medical equipment.