Canberrans cautioned against attending public events due to coronavirus ahead of Raiders, Brumbies and Skyfire

From Monday, federal, state and territory governments will advise against non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500.

It comes as Skyfire was postponed early on Friday afternoon. Thousands were expected to gather on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin to watch the annual fireworks display.

Canberra Raiders and Brumbies matches, on Friday night and Sunday, respectively, will go ahead.

The ACT recorded its first case of COVID-19 on Thursday.

Australian Medical Association ACT president Antonio Di Dio told ABC Canberra radio that people, particularly those at heightened risk, are best off avoiding any public event.

"All of these problems and questions will become worse and worse and worse if we persist with going through with large gatherings," he said.

Art festival, Art Not Apart will also be held in the New Acton precinct on Saturday.

Earlier, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said events could still go ahead this weekend as authorities were "really confident" there was no community transition of the virus.

"We have one case of COVID-19 in the ACT and all of the close contacts of that person were tracked down yesterday and either isolating and being tested as required and so we don't have that community transition. And so this weekend, that advice still stands."

READ MORE:

Dr Di Dio said large gatherings would exacerbate the situation and the health care system would be better prepared to deal with cases if events were not to go ahead.

It comes as the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been canned.

There were 156 reported cases of COVID-19 in Australia as of 11am March 13, according to the Department of Health, as fears have grown for person-to-person transmission in the nation, not just those from overseas.

At the moment, only those who have symptoms and have travelled overseas in the past 14 days or those who may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 are being told to get tested.

However, the man in his 30s who test positive in the ACT had not fulfilled these guidelines. He was tested because he had a history of overseas travel.

Dr Di Dio said the criteria for coronavirus testing needed to be changed in light of reported person-to-person transmissions in Australia.

"The criteria for testing as it stands this morning was correct a week ago but not anymore because suddenly the community-to-community transmissions cases in Canberra has grown," he said.

Skyfire has been postponed due to coronavirus fears. Plans are to hold the event at a later date this year.

The Chinese Lantern Festival, due to take place in Yarralumla, on Saturday afternoon has also been cancelled.

Organisers have already cancelled the event once, in February, due to concerns about the coronavirus.

It was cancelled again yesterday due to the continuing concerns around coronavirus as well as the chance of rain ruining the event.

It will now be held some time next year.

The National Portrait Gallery has cancelled its event for the National Photographic Portrait Prize tonight.

The gallery was due to host about 500 people at the event, and National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan said the decision was made as guests would be in close proximity.

"The situation we are in is fluid and dynamic and changing by the day," she said.

"As a result, the managing decision has been made this morning to cancel our official opening event for the National Portrait Prize and the announcement this evening."

The winner of the prize will be announced through social media.

The National Portrait Gallery will remain open.

Government House has cancelled its open day on March 14. While advice to contain COVID-19 didn't compel Government House to cancel its open day, the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General found the move was "responsible and prudent".

Meanwhile, the promoters of the 2020 Anthems Festival on March 28 have decided to cancel this year's festival. People who purchased tickets will receive a full refund directly into the account used to purchase within 14 days.

The North Ainslie Primary School Fiesta on Saturday has been cancelled after advice given from the Chief Medical Officer.

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.