Coronavirus Information

• On 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic.  
• Australia has in place strict measures aimed at protecting Australians and visitors to our country from the coronavirus.
• These measures are changing rapidly as the situation evolves.
• We will continue to update our website as information becomes available. 
• We also encourage you to consult official sources for the latest information.

International travel

• All Australians, regardless of health, age or destination, are  advised not to travel overseas at this time.
• Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
• New Zealand citizens who live in Australia as Australian residents are also permitted to travel to Australia, as are New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand. Exemptions for Pacific Islanders transiting to their home countries will continue to apply.
• Australians already abroad who wish to come home have been told to return as soon as possible as commercial transport options are becoming limited.
• Australian citizens and residents will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their arrival.  
• For details visit the Australian Border Force website.
• Further advice for travellers is available here.

Domestic travel

• The Australian Government is currently advising that all Australians should only undertake essential travel and should not travel to vulnerable communities. Find more information here.
• In response, some Australian States and Territories have introduced their own travel restrictions, restricting travel to vulnerable communities and introducing self-isolation requirements for returning residents: 
  • All travellers and returning residents to the Northern Territory, effective from 4pm (ACST) Tuesday 24 March, will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days upon arrival. Further details are here.  
  • All travellers and returning residents arriving in Queensland will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from arrival, effective from midnight on Wednesday 25 March. 
  • The South Australian Government now requires all people entering South Australia to isolate for 14 days from their arrival. It will be supported by border control measures from Tuesday 24 March at 4pm (ACDT) and will include exemptions for essential travel to maintain health.  
  • All ‘non-essential’ travellers to Tasmania (including Tasmanian citizens) must self-isolate for 14 days. Advice for international travellers can be found here and for industry here. 
  • From 1.30pm (WST) on Tuesday 24 March 2020 all arrivals to Western Australia from other States and Territories will have to self-isolate for 14 days after their arrival. 
  • Norfolk Island has closed its borders to non-residents and non-essential staff. Residents and essential staff are permitted to return to the island but are required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of arrival. Find more information here.
  • A travel ban has been put in place for Lord Howe Island effective from 22 March 2020. Further details can be found here.
• Government guidance on self-isolation is available here and specifically for guests staying in hotels here.

Airports and flights

• All Australian airports remain open however there are major disruptions to flight schedules as airlines ground their fleets in response to Australia’s travel restrictions.
• You should contact your travel agent, or airline and visit the Smartraveller website for the most up-to-date information. 

Meetings and conferences 

• Australia has in place temporary restrictions on non-essential gatherings and certain public spaces: 
  • Non-essential gatherings are currently suspended to reduce the risk of spread of the coronavirus. 
  • As part of these measures the following facilities are currently restricted from opening:
    • pubs, registered and licensed clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
    • gyms and indoor sporting venues
    • cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and night clubs
    • restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
    • religious gatherings including places of worship

Staying Healthy

• Australia has a world class health care system and well-established measures and safeguards in place to deal with the threat of viruses including at our airports.
• In Australia, there have been a relatively small number of confirmed cases of coronavirus compared to some other countries.  
• For the latest information on coronavirus cases in Australia, refer to the Department of Health's website. 
• For further information on staying healthy, visit the Government’s coronavirus public health campaign here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest advice for Australians considering travel overseas?

• All Australians, regardless of health, age or destination, have been advised not to travel overseas at this time.
• Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
• Australians already abroad who wish to come home have been told to return as soon as possible as commercial transport options are becoming limited. 
  
• All passengers arriving in Australia (including Australian citizens) are required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their arrival.
• Cruise ships from foreign ports are temporarily banned from arriving at Australian ports.
• For details visit the Australian Border Force website.
• Guidance on self-isolation is available here and specifically for guests staying in hotels here. 
• Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) continues to adjust its travel advice as new information becomes available. 
• You should contact your airline, travel agent or insurance company to discuss your travel plans and options for cancelling or postponing current bookings or to arrange flights back to Australia; and visit the Australian Smartraveller website for the most up-to-date information.
• Further advice for travellers is available here.

What is the advice for foreign travellers to Australia?

• Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
• For details visit the Australian Border Force website.
  

What should I do if I have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of the coronavirus?

Australia has strict quarantine requirements in place for any travellers who have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of the coronavirus. That is, self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of last contact with that person.

What precautions should I take?

• Everyone should take steps to protect against infections. These measures include:
  • Good hygiene;
  • Social distancing; and
  • Self-isolation.
• If you have a confirmed case of the coronavirus you need to isolate yourself to prevent it spreading to others.
• More information on how to protect yourself and others is available here.

What symptoms should I watch out for?

• The coronavirus can cause a range of symptoms, ranging from mild illness to pneumonia. People with the coronavirus may experience:
  • Fever;
  • Flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and headaches;
  • Difficulty breathing in some cases.
• If you are concerned you may have the coronavirus, use the symptom checker on healthdirect. 
• If you become unwell and suspect you may have symptoms of the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. To seek medical help from a doctor or hospital, call ahead of time to book an appointment.
• If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can reach it on 1800 020 080.
• You will be asked to take precautions when you attend for treatment. Follow the instructions you are given.

Where can I get more information about the coronavirus?

• For the latest health and travel advice issued by the World Health Organization visit here.
• For the latest information about the coronavirus in Australia visit the  Department of Health website.
• The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website also provides advice to Australians considering overseas travel or who are considering returning from overseas.
• Detailed information about current border restrictions is available from the  Australian Border Force website.
• If you have questions about the coronavirus you can contact your state or territory public health agency or the national virus hotline:
  • Coronavirus Health Information Line: 1800 020 080
  • Australian Capital Territory: 02 5124 9213
  • New South Wales: 1300 066 055
  • Northern Territory: 08 8922 8044
  • Queensland: 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
  • South Australia: 1300 232 272
  • Tasmania: 1800 671
  • Victoria: 1300 651 160
  • Western Australia: (08) 9222 422