Doctors and other healthcare workers should be tested for coronavirus if they develop a cough or any other flu-like symptoms, under expanded national guidelines.

The Federal Government on Thursday broadened the criteria for suspected COVID-19 to include anyone with symptoms in a designated high-risk setting, such as a prison or aged care home.

And any patient with history of fever or acute respiratory illness will be eligible for testing if they are in a suburb or town deemed by public health officials to have an “elevated risk” of community transmission.

The expanded case definition had been recommended by the medical Australian Health Protection Advisory Committee and agreed at a meeting of federal, state and territory leaders on Wednesday night.