Australia: Victoria bans entry for people from Sydney's Northern Beaches area from Dec. 19 /update 15

Event

Victoria is banning entry for people arriving from Sydney's Northern Beaches area as of Dec. 19, due to a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the locality. Exceptions to the ban are only in place for essential travel. Arrivals from other areas of the Sydney metropolitan area are advised to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Victoria and self-isolate until results are available. All arrivals from New South Wales must apply for Victorian Border Crossing Permits. Further controls on travel from Sydney, and possibly other areas of New South Wales, may be imposed at short notice.

Officials in Victoria are maintaining internal COVID-19 controls. Outdoor public gatherings remain limited to a maximum of 100 people, with in-home gatherings restricted to 30 or fewer people. Facemasks remain mandatory at most indoor locations, including public transport and grocery stores. Entertainment venues can operate at 75-percent capacity, up to 1,000 people. Companies must adhere to one person per two square meters (21 square feet), regardless of the total number of patrons. However, dance floors can remain limited to one person per four square meters (43 square feet) up to 50 people. Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs can hold up to 25 people before density limits take effect. Gyms, pools, and recreation centers must follow the four-square-meter rule. The government also requires high traffic businesses and community venues to maintain contact details of patrons - usually through a quick response (QR) code - or follow the four-square-meter rule.

Domestic Border Controls
Victoria's border is open to travelers from most Australian states. Travelers from New South Wales can must request a Border Crossing Permit before travel, except if seeking emergency medical care or providing emergency public services.

Quarantine Requirements
All travelers entering Australia, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Quarantine fees are AUD 3,000 (USD 2,130) for the first adult, AUD 1,000 (USD 710) per additional adult, and AUD 500 (USD 371) per child; the government does not charge fees for children under three years old. Authorities require quarantined travelers to take a COVID-19 test on the third and eleventh day of quarantine.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel. Avoid crowded areas as a precaution. Stock up on essential supplies. Confirm business appointments in affected areas. Check the status of flights with airlines if flying into Melbourne in the coming weeks.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Victoria Government
Victoria COVID-19 Reopening Roadmap
Victoria Department of Health and Human Services
Victoria Border Crossing Permit