Victoria may have reached its 40-day COVID-free milestone today, however hopes for overseas trips are being delayed for another three months as the government extends its ban for international travel.
The decision by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has come following the rapid spread of COVID-19 to other countries, thus making coronavirus a significant health risk for international travellers.
Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt said “the international world remains a challenging and dangerous environment and Australia won’t be fully safe until the international community is safe”.
He said that the “important protections” were in place for the protection of Australians. Mr Hunt stressed the importance of the country’s vaccine program, adding tht it would roll out at the beginning of March.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly recommended the emergency biosecurity powers be extended after he said he “weighed up all of the issues, particularly the ongoing situation internationally, and the sort of risks that could come to Australia if we relaxed at this point.”
At the moment, Australians are only permitted to leave the country with specific exemptions. Since March, 95,325 exemptions have been granted.
Domestic options have opened up for Australians with domestic travellers from NSW and Victoria now able to travel to Western Australia without the need to Quarantine.
South Australia is the only state where domestic visitors face travel restrictions, however SA travellers will no longer require exemptions to enter Western Australia from the end of the week. They will still need to self-isolate. Queensland is also expected to open up to Adelaide this weekend.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison applauded Australia’s strength after a year of challenges while addressing coalition colleagues in Canberra. He said “Australians have passed the test”.
He added however that the battle continues with the government poised for further challenges, including in aged care.