02 9635 5333

02 9635 5333

Covid-19 Update

Please see below some of the recent announcements made by the Australian Government in its efforts to protection Australians from Covid-19.

It is important to keep in mind that as the Covid-19 situation develops in Australia, the Australian Government will announce further measures.

19 March 2020 – COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the Australian border

From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel.

Illustration

15 March 2020 – Self Isolation & Cruise Liner Ban
The Australian Government announced:
● all travellers to Australia will be required to self-isolate for 14 days;● a ban on cruise liners from foreign ports arriving at Australian ports for 30 days.
12 March 2020 – Travel Restrictions
The Australian Government announced on 12 March 2020 that travel restrictions will continue to apply to travellers arriving from any part of mainland China, Iran, Republic of Korea and Italy.
Foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who have been in the following countries will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days from the time they have left or transited through:
● mainland China● Iran● Republic of Korea● Italy
Australian citizens and permanent residents will still be able to enter, as will their immediate family members (spouses, legal guardians or dependants only). They will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the day they left China, Iran, the Republic of Korea or Italy.
Australia will deny entry to anyone who has left or transited a country subject to travel restrictions within the previous 14 days, with the exception of:
● Australian citizens● permanent residents● New Zealand citizens resident in Australia● immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents including spouses, minor dependants and legal guardians● diplomats
Limited exemptions also exist for airline and maritime crew, where they have taken appropriate precautionary measures.
These enhanced public safety measures will apply to those seeking to enter Australia as well as those seeking to transit through Australia en-route to another country.
These measures are temporary and will be reviewed.
Temporary visa holders outside Australia
Temporary visa holders who are ineligible for entry into Australia in light of the imposed bans and are not exempt under one of the exemption categories will have their visa considered for cancellation if they attempt to travel to Australia.
It is advisable for temporary visa holders subject to the bans to not to attempt to enter Australia as their visa is likely to be cancelled.
If you think your visa may have been cancelled contact our office for assistance.
22 February 2020 – Exemptions to Travel Restrictions
On 22 February 2020, limited exemptions from travel restrictions were announced for Year 11 and 12 students who remain in China.
Year 11 and 12 students who remain in China due to Australian travel restrictions (apart from those from Hubei Province) have been offered a strict pathway to resume their studies in recognition of the importance of the final two years of school. The exemptions will be considered on case by case basis.

Read the latest government alerts here >>

By Rigas Law | March 20th, 2020 | Uncategorised