Australia has slammed its border shut creating a New Zealand travel ban after the country recorded a case of the South African coronavirus variant.
Australia’s one-way travel agreement with New Zealand has been paused while its authorities scramble to trace contacts of a 56-year-old woman confirmed to have the more infectious South African variant of COVID-19.
The new strain has so far been detected in 13 countries, including Australia that confirmed 13 cases in hotel quarantine last year.
Australian health authorities confirmed the strain presented a “heightened risk” and was of “concern”.
How long will travel be closed for?
Travel from New Zealand will be paused for the next 72 hours while contact tracing is completed, after which Australian authorities will make the decision on whether to open back up the border or not.
What about New Zealanders who are already here?
Anyone who has arrived from New Zealand since January 14 must now quarantine until they receive back a negative COVID-19 test, Health Minister Greg Hunt declared.
“We apologise to those who may be inconvenienced,” he said.
“This has been taken on the basis of strong, clear, immediate medical advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, immediately considered in the Cabinet arrangements, and accepted by the Prime Minister and the Government of Australia.”
What about people who were planning to travel?
Two flights from New Zealand were scheduled today, with anyone arriving to be forced into quarantine.
“It is recommended all passengers from New Zealand with a green safe zone flight scheduled 72 hours reconsider their need to travel,” Mr Hunt said.
“They will as a consequence have to go into hotel quarantine, or such other arrangements as individual states may implement, for up to 14 days.”
What’s so bad about this new strain?
Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd said the new strain, much like the UK variant, was of even greater concern than the original novel coronavirus.
“This new variant is more transmissible and presents a heightened level of risk,” he said.
Further COVID-19 news on SoPerth.com.au.
