The Australian government intends to completely ban entry into the country for all foreign citizens amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to PM Scott Morrison, the ban will be passed by the cabinet this evening and will enter into force on March 20, 9 pm local time, TASS reported.

The PM noted nearly 80% of all cases detected in Australia are either the result of a virus infection abroad or the result of contacts with people who have become infected outside Australia. 

About 600 cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in Australia. The largest number of infected - 307 people - are confirmed in Sydney. About 2 thousand patients across the country are awaiting the results of a test. The diagnosis of the first patient was confirmed in Melbourne on January 25. To date, 25 people have recovered, and the death toll has reached six.