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Health Alert – U.S. Mission Australia (March 23, 2020)
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9 MINUTE READ
March 23, 2020

Health Alert – U.S. Mission Australia (March 23, 2020)

 Location: Australia

Event:  The governments of nearly all states and territories of Australia have implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Visit the website of each state or territory’s government for additional information on these new measures, and be prepared for measures in all Australian states and territories to change at any time:

  • As of 1:30 pm WST on March 24, 2020, Western Australia will require all non-essential arrivals from interstate or overseas to quarantine for 14 days.
  • As of 4:00 pm on March 24, 2020, the Northern Territory and the state of South Australia will require all non-essential arrivals from interstate or overseas to self-isolate for 14 days.
  • As of midnight on March 20, 2020, the state of Tasmania has required all non-essential arrivals from interstate or overseas to quarantine for 14 days.
  • Effective immediately, the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory require non-essential services to be suspended.

On March 19, the Prime Minister of Australia announced a travel ban on all non-residents and non-Australian citizens entering Australia in effect from 9:00 pm AEDT on Friday, March 20, 2020.

The government of Australia has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.  Indoor gatherings larger than 100 people have been banned, and Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings and facilities will begin from midday on March 23, 2020.  Visit the Australian government COVID-19 website for updated information.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.  Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available, even via circuitous routes.  United Airlines is currently the only airline continuing regular direct service between Australia and the United States after March 30.  Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability.  If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

Effective March 17, 2020, the U.S. Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth have reduced routine consular services.  For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.

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