Human biosecurity emergency declared
Citizens should abandon all overseas travel due to coronavirus epidemic, says Aussie PM
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday declared a “human biosecurity emergency” and said the country’s citizens should abandon all overseas travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The formal declaration gives the government power to close off cities or regions, impose curfews and order people to quarantine, if deemed necessary to contain the spread of the virus.
The upgrade in official advice to an unprecedented “Level 4: Do not travel” to any country in the world, was accompanied by a ban on any non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
“Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world,” Morrison said during a televised news conference.
“Life is going to continue to change, as we deal with the global coronavirus. This is a once in a hundred-year type event.”
Australia has recorded around nearly 500 infections and six deaths, a relatively small number compared with other countries, but officials are growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of an exponential rise in cases.
New South Wales, the country’s most populous state, reported its biggest one-day surge in new cases yesterday, along with the country’s latest death, an 86-year-old man who died in a Sydney hospital.
Morrison said the tighter ban on indoor social gatherings, down to 100 people from 500, did not include essential services like schools, public transport and shopping centres.
The Australian leader cited expert health guidance as the rationale for keeping schools open, a strategy that has been questioned by some experts.
Morrison reiterated the need for social distancing and good hand hygiene to curb the spread of the virus and announced restricted access to aged care homes.
Anybody who travels during a Level 4 ban is warned that the Australian government may not be able to assist if they get into trouble while abroad, according to the government’s official SmartTraveller website.
Earlier, the government unveiled a A$715 million (RM1.8 billion) aid package for airlines, including waivers on domestic air traffic control fees.
Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd has suspended all international flights from March 30 to June 14, while Qantas Airways Ltd has cut its international capacity by 90%. – Reuters