Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard is self-isolating after coming into contact with Sophia Trudeau after she was diagnosed with coronavirus.

It is understood that Gillard hugged Ms Trudeau during their encounter.

“Former PM Gillard did attend the WE Day event with Sophie Trudeau. Ms Gillard is in London and feeling well but as a precaution is self-isolating and will continue to do so until the end of the recommended period,” a spokesperson for Ms Gillard said.

“Ms Gillard is well and coming to the end of the recommended period for self-isolation, which she has been doing as a precautionary measure only,” the spokesperson said.

“She is following current UK public health advice and so at this stage has not been tested.”

This comes after news that My Kitchen Rules star Colin Fassnidge revealed on The Morning Show that restaurants, pubs and nightclubs across Australia could be forced to shut down for a month from Sunday due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Fassnidge said that the drastic action will be taken to stop the deadly virus, which has already infected 450 Australians.

“We’ve been told on the quiet that all the restaurants and pubs need to close on Sunday, so we're going to close down our restaurants today,” Fassnidge told the Morning Show.

#MKR judge @Fassnidge73 has revealed restaurants are being told to 'be ready to close down' as the coronavirus crisis hits the hospitality industry. #TMS7 https://t.co/PdqcHNh5jQ

— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) March 17, 2020

“It’s more or less going to be Sunday or a few days after. I’m a bit worried today, so we’ll see what happens.

“Just support us, get takeaway.”

The chef then revealed that the fear of coronavirus has already taken a toll on his business, with only 20 customers coming to his bistro in Banksia on Saturday night.

“Our Saturday nights would normally see 150 guests - this week we did 20,” Fassnidge said.

'Nobody knows what’s going to happen. Everyone’s saying restaurants could be closed for up to three or four weeks.”

Fassnidge insisted that some businesses will remain open for takeaway food, which will ensure people are fed during the outbreak.

“A lot of the restaurants are going to be doing home delivery and takeaway,” he said. 

“So everyone should support the local restaurants and cafes and just get takeaway. 

“You don’t even have to go in and sit down.

“The next few weeks are going to be tough. We’re not going to make any money. It’s about just staying afloat - so support us.

“There is a huge shock out there. But now that we’ve had the shock, it’s about how we help and adapt.  

“We will adapt, and we will get through it - but a lot of people will not get through it.”