That's the message paediatrician Dr Richard Hart wants the Southern Highlands community to know.

Dr Hart said the virus has a long incubation period. Even if a person becomes unwell symptoms might not appear until five to 14 days after they have been exposed to the virus.

These adults and children are contagious and can unknowingly spread the virus to many others.

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"The danger is a child or adult being infected but showing no symptoms, or just an upper respiratory tract infection or a sore throat, but being highly infectious to others," Dr Hart said.

"You can catch the virus from someone who is perfectly well.

"Community transmission from unknown sources is going to become more of a problem and these are the most important cases that present the greatest threat to the community.

"This is why social isolation is so important, otherwise you could spread it. The people coming from overseas are easier to trace, test and isolate."

Dr Hart said his industry has adopted a telehealth approach to consultations to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.

"Most pediatric consultations are being done by telephone and a lot of efforts is going into video links such as Skype" he said.

Parents and children can speak to the paediatrician from home without the need to travel into the doctor's rooms and scripts can be faxed or mailed to home or the chemist.

"We're trying to limit exposure to families and health staff. We're trying to keep children and families out of hospital as much as we can."

There are new Medicare items to cover telehealth consultations, and prices are about the same as an in-person appointment.

Dr Hart said as most people have taken precautions against coronavirus, this would limit the spread of other illnesses.

"People are practising good hygiene, and are staying home from school and daycare where possible," he said.

"Interestingly as children and parents are isolating, they're washing their hands frequently and there's less infectious illness," he said.

This can include viral infections, gastroenteritis and flu-like illnesses.

"The phenomena has been observed in Europe and in other countries."

It is recommended you keep physical distance from others, avoid public places, wash your hands and do not touch your face after touching other surfaces.

This helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"So stay at home. Don't be the spreader!" Dr Hart said.