Hunt wants Italy travel status to be reviewed

HEALTH Minister Greg Hunt ordered the nation’s top medicos to review its coronavirus situation regarding Italy.

Australia’s current travel advice to Italy is only to exercise high caution in the country’s north.

The popular European holiday destination now has more than 1000 confirmed coronavirus cases, while its death toll had reached 29 people yesterday. Mr Hunt yesterday confirmed he had asked the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), headed by the chief medical officer, to review the travel advice.

“I have asked them specifically today as part of their work to consider what the appropriate level of advice is for Italy,” he said.

“But I have specifically asked them today to consider whether or not the current arrangements need to be changed in any way, shape or form.”

It follows the Federal Government extending its China travel ban to Iran, after people returning to Australia from that country testing positive to the disease.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the Border Force commissioner had the power to block entire plane loads of people from coming in if there are fears related to the pandemic on board – but suggested it was “highly unlikely” to be used.

“The more likely nature would be that those who are seated around the person that’s sick would be identified, would be tested and (isolated).”

Mr Dutton said incoming passengers presenting as unwell on arrival in Australia from countries with known outbreaks would be isolated.