The Federal Government has announced that it has extended its COVID-19 biosecurity determination and associated emergency measures for a further three months, until at least 17 September.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee [AHPPC] stated that the decision was motivated by COVID-19 continuing to pose an “unacceptable risk to public health”.
The continuation of the measures means that restrictions on outbound and outbound international travel, including for Australians will continue along with the continued ban restrictions on cruise vessels entering and cruising in Australian waters.
The continuing of the determination flies in the face of the optimism provided recently by Federal Minister for Tourism Dan Tehan, who expressed his optimism and desire to see cruising commence in Australia again soon and also the comments by Prime Minister Scott Morrison regarding international travel being available to Australians in some categories.
This will be devastating news for the greater travel industry and also and in particular the cruise sector and Global Travel Media will seek clarification from the Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and will seek commentary from affected organisations and CLIA on Friday.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor.
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