Health Alert – U.S. Mission Australia (August 5, 2020)

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August 5, 2020

Location: Australia

Event:  The U.S. Mission to Australia plans to send Alerts once per week unless local conditions warrant immediate messaging.

The Victorian government has announced a number of changes to restrictions for Melbourne and regional Victoria. The increased restrictions include a curfew from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am every evening for Melbourne and mandatory face coverings for all of Victoria. Please read about Stage 4 restrictions for Melbourne and Stage 3 restrictions for regional Victoria here.

Measures in Australia to limit the spread of COVID-19 vary by state and territory. Please check the individual state and territory websites for further information. State, territory, and local authorities may levy fines on and/or arrest individuals not following physical distancing or other orders.

Queensland will close its border to all of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from 1:00 am on Saturday, August 8. Travelers granted entry who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days must quarantine upon arrival in Queensland, and pay fees for their quarantine accommodations. All states and territories have various entry restrictions concerning travel from the state of Victoria. U.S. citizens are encouraged to visit the website of each state and territory for the latest on border closures and restrictions (the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia).

The U.S. Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are accepting mail-in passport applications (forms DS-82 and DS-5504), in addition to continued emergency citizenship services. U.S. citizens with immediate travel should contact their nearest consulate to request an emergency appointment. U.S. citizen voters or their representatives can drop off absentee ballots at the Embassy or Consulates for postage-free mailing to the United States; please find details here.

The Consulates in Sydney and Perth have resumed limited routine passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) services by appointment only. Please note that the personal appearance requirement for CRBA applicants and passport applicants completing a DS-11 cannot be waived, nor can the Consulates offer online interviews. If you have concerns about traveling to a Consulate, or face logistical difficulties due to COVID-19 restrictions, you may wish to wait until the situation improves before making an appointment. The Consulates are unable to offer notary or loss of nationality services at this time.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC websitefor the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.govfor the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Have a plan to depart from Australia that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Australia.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on COVID-19-related fraud.