Updated advice for cruise ships

11 Mar 2020 / Australia

Effective 11 March 2020 at 1800 AEDST, foreign nationals who are in Italy on or after 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020, will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days, from the time they have left or transited through Italy.

These restrictions will replace the enhanced health screening measures that took effect on 5 March 2020 at 2100 AEDST.

Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, legal guardians and spouses will be exempt from these measures, but will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from their arrival into Australia.

The Australian Border Force (ABF), working with partner agencies, will establish advanced screening and reception arrangements to facilitate identification of those individuals to whom these measures apply…

…For cruise ships from Italy
From 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020, if a traveller is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or their immediate family, legal guardian or spouse), cruise ships operators are required to contact the Border Operation Centre at +61 1300 368 126.

In most circumstances, if the traveller does not meet the above travel conditions they should not be permitted to board.

All non-essential crew are to remain on board the vessel. Where crew are required to disembark to conduct vessel functions, they are required to wear personal protective equipment.

For industry members engaging with cruise ships, such as ship surveyors and maritime pilots, please ensure you refer to the Department of Health website (www.health.gov.au) for guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment.

For cruise ships from other locations
From 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020, cruise ship staff should ask the traveller if they have travelled to or transited through Italy on or after 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020.

Staff should also examine the passport for any evidence to determine if there has been any travel from Italy on or after 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020.

If the traveller advises they have left or transited through Italy on or after 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020 and are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or their immediate family, legal guardian or spouse), the cruise ship operator should contact the Border Operations Centre at +61 1300 368 126.

In most circumstances, if the traveller does not meet the above travel conditions they will not be permitted to board (the mechanism for which will be visa cancellation).

Additional messages for travellers
- From 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020, if you arrive in Australia and it is determined that you have travelled to or transited through Italy on or after 1800 AEDST 11 March 2020, your visa will be cancelled and you will be restricted on board the cruise ship or placed in an alternative place of detention for a quarantine period.
- Please do not travel to Australia unless you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or their immediate family, legal guardian or spouse).

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected])

Source: Australia Border Force updated advice dated 11 March 2020

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.