Novel Coronavirus travel restriction update
Key updates:
Australia will deny entry to anyone who has left or transited mainland China 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 dependents and legal guardians
- Diplomats
As the number of people infected with the corornavirus in China now exceeds 70,000, the Australian Government has announced that travel restrictions will be maintained for a further 7 days from 15 February 2020. The Department has also clarified that defacto partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents are not included in the travel ban.
According to the Australian Government announcement, all travellers arriving from any part of mainland China, regardless of nationality, will be subject to enhanced border control measures.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family (spouses, minor dependents or legal guardians only) are able to enter Australia. If they have been in mainland China they will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the time they left mainland China.
However, there is still a lack of clarity from the Government in terms of the processes for the return of partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents who have applied for partner visas or who are not holding permanent visas such as visitor or student visas.
There is also little information around the documentation that must be presented at airports as evidence that they are the partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident and therefore not affected by the travel ban.
These measures are temporary and will be reviewed. You can find out more here.
