Coronavirus Travel Restrictions – Mid February Update
The end of January 2020 saw the World Health Organisation declare a Global Health Emergency previously outlined here. Australia responded by imposing immediate travel restrictions that tightened border control and cancelled temporary visas held by individuals who had recently been in China. The restrictions, reiterated below from our previous report, have been indicated to remain in place beyond the initial 14 day period according to Minister for Health Greg Hunt.[1]
Continuing restrictions from February 1st
Restrictions introduced 1 February 2020 remain in place. Please refer to our earlier update here for a full description.
At the time of publication The World Health Organisation now counts 40,235 cases of the Coronavirus, with the death toll in China surpassing 1000. Australia is currently aware of 15 cases onshore with 5 of these having recovered.[2]
What this means for visa holders
Visa holders unsure of their status are advised to review the extensive information from the ban’s initial implementation available on the Department of Home Affairs’ website.
Processing times for visa extensions and further visas have increased, therefore holders should allow additional time if planning an application. Visas granted with Condition 8503 “no further stay” may be eligible to have the condition waived under current circumstances. Waiver processing times are currently estimated at 28 days.
Moving forward
With the news of an extension to travel restrictions, no further date for review has been given. The government continues to monitor the situation, Federal education Minister Dan Tehan saying “It’s very much wait and see what happens” when asked about international students returning to Australia.
For
live information follow the Department of Health’s updates here.
[1] “Coronavirus: China travel ban ‘won’t be turned off” https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/coronavirus-china-travel-ban-wont-be-turned-off/news-story/f4751a80623747ae564939f600892aef
[2] Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) health alert, Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
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