Australia Considers Tougher Movement Restrictions to Combat Coronavirus

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference announcing that mass gatherings of 500 people or more are cancelled from March 16, in Sydney, Australia, on March 13, 2020. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

SYDNEY—Australia is considering tougher restrictions on public gatherings to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the Sydney Opera House closed its doors, national airline Qantas slashed its international flight capacity and courts suspended hearings.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet with the newly formed national cabinet, an emergency response team that includes state leaders and senior medical officials, by video link later on Tuesday amid concerns the virus spread has picked up pace.