Health Alert – U.S. Mission to Australia (January 8, 2021)
Location: Australia
Event: The U.S. Mission to Australia continues to monitor the rapidly changing conditions due to COVID-19 in Australia and in other locations worldwide. The most current information regarding the impact of COVID-19 may be found at our COVID Information Page.
The government of Australia has announced that all incoming international passengers must return a negative COVID-19 test before boarding, with limited exceptions. Additionally, masks are mandatory for passengers and crew on all international and domestic flights. This is in addition to ongoing travel ban on all non-residents and non-Australian citizens entering Australia. Australia also continues to limit the numbers of inbound passengers on international flights.
The state of Queensland has announced a lockdown of the Greater Brisbane area (the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton, and Redlands), from 6:00 pm on Friday, January 8, to 6:00 pm on Monday, January 11. There are also limits on gatherings, a face mask requirement, and other regulations going into effect. Please find more information about the Queensland restrictions, including the limited reasons to leave home during lockdown, here.
Measures in Australia to limit the spread of COVID-19 vary by state and territory. U.S. citizens are encouraged to visit the website of each state and territory for the latest on COVID-19 restrictions (the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia). State, territory, and local authorities may levy fines on and/or arrest individuals not following physical distancing or other orders.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for 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.gov for 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-19 for 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.
Assistance:
- U.S. Consulate General, Sydney, Australia
Level 10, MLC Center
19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9373-9200
Email: SydneyACS@state.gov
Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
- U.S. Consulate General, Melbourne, Australia
553 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne, VIC 3004
Telephone: (03) 9526-5900
Email: MelbourneACS@state.gov
Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
- U.S. Consulate General, Perth, Australia
Level 4
16 St. Georges Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 6144-5100
Email: PerthACS@state.gov
Website: https://au.usembassy.gov/
- State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Australia Country Information
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