This statement has been archived.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), on the advice of the Communicable Disease Network Australia (CDNA), continues to monitor the effectiveness of current travel restrictions and self-quarantine procedures for travellers coming from mainland China, Iran, South Korea and Italy.
COVID-19 continues to spread globally with a growing number of countries experiencing sustained community based transmission and outbreaks. The travel restrictions and self-quarantine measures implemented by the Australian Government have been successful in reducing the number of cases detected in Australia and delaying the onset of community transmission.
The global epidemiology of COVID-19 continues to evolve. While there has been a decreasing number of cases in mainland China and South Korea, the situation and total number of cases remains of concern. There continues to be rapidly increasing number of cases in Iran and Italy.
Consequently, the AHPPC recommend that:
(1) the Government continue to direct primary focus toward domestic containment and preparedness of COVID-19, and
(2) that the Government maintain enhanced border measures and travel restrictions for the aforementioned destinations for a further 7 days, at which time this advice will be reviewed.