Victoria's Supreme Court and County Court have taken the unprecedented step of suspending all new jury trials indefinitely amid the spread of the coronavirus.
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Geelong Grammar School has also decided to end first term of the school year early at its four campuses in the state despite being infection free.
The developments come as another 13 people have been infected with COVID-19 in Victoria, bringing the state's total number of cases to 49.
Victorian Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Ferguson announced the suspension of new jury trials in a statement on Saturday.
It will halt the empanelment process, in which hundreds of potential jurors gather at court.
"This precautionary decision was made after consideration of the latest expert health and government advice and recognises that members of the community may hold concerns about attending court in large groups," she said.
The suspension doesn't apply to trials where the jury has already been empanelled, and all Victorian courts and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal will continue to hear other matters as usual.
Geelong Grammar School principal Rebecca Cody, in a message to families and friends on Saturday, said the school would be ending term one early.
The decision took into account the school's status as Australia's largest co-educational boarding school, with 900 students from each state and territory, and 16 foreign countries.
All classrooms and boarding residences will close by Wednesday.
"Given we currently remain an infection-free site, this decision gives families time to prepare calmly for collection of their children," Ms Cody said.
The latest 13 cases of the virus in Victoria include 11 men and two women aged between 20 and 69.
One person has been admitted to hospital and is in a stable condition but the others are recovering at home in isolation, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Saturday.
Major events meant to be held in Victoria have been cancelled to help halt the spread of the illness, including this weekend's Grand Prix and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Footy fans won't be able to attend the AFL season opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, with all games to be played without spectators for the foreseeable future.
The federal government is urging against non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people starting from Monday.
Australian Associated Press
