Please find the latest Tourism Australia COVID-19 update below, sent on 29/02/20:
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the world with increasing numbers of confirmed cases in a growing number of countries across several continents.
Overnight, Tourism Australia has been advised that ITB Berlin 2020 has been cancelled. The organisers Messe Berlin have made the decision following advice from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Economics. Further information can be found on the ITB Berlin website here.
We are continuing to monitor the ongoing situation very closely, following the health advice provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Australia’s Department of Health.
No pandemic declared at this stage
Over the last few days there has been a lot of speculation about whether the current coronavirus outbreak will be declared a pandemic, and the implications such a move might have for our Australia and, specifically, for our industry. At this stage, a pandemic has not been declared. However, the Australian Government is very sensibly heightening its level of preparedness for such an occurrence.
Emergency Response Plan for Coronavirus activated
On Thursday (27 February 2020), the Prime Minister announced the activation of the ‘Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)’. The Australian Government also announced it would extend for a further week (to 7 March 2020) the entry restrictions on foreign nationals who have recently been in mainland China.
As at 29 February 2020, a total of 84,117 cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally, including 2,872 deaths. The majority of cases have been reported from mainland China (78,824), with 5,923 cases reported from 55 countries and regions outside of mainland China.
Travel Advice for Australians
Due to a heightened risk of sustained local transmission, DFAT has also raised the level of travel advice for parts of Italy as well as Mongolia and Iran. For up-to-date travel advice, visit the DFAT Smart Traveller website.
Travel Restrictions into Australia
Further travel restrictions into Australia are not being recommended at this stage. To find out more information, refer to the statement issued by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee on 27th February.
Quarantine requirements remain in force
Strict quarantine requirements continue to apply to any travellers (including returning students) who have been in mainland China or been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of COVID-19. That is, self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of departure from mainland China or from the date of last contact with a confirmed case.
Ours is a global industry and many of us have to travel overseas as part of our jobs. With cases of the coronavirus spreading beyond China, there is naturally heightened concern within the industry about international travel to and from Australia.
Tourism events
The cancellation is unlikely to be the only tourism event to be impacted by the spread of the coronavirus,
From a Tourism Australia point of view, we carry out full risk assessments for all our own events as well as those that we routinely attend overseas. Additionally, we seek guidance from relevant health authorities and travel advisories. If any country or event is not deemed safe for attendees, we will not attend.
Obviously, this is an unpredictable and fast-moving issue. We will continue to take our lead the World Health Organisation and Australia’s Department of Health, and keep you informed as new information comes to hand, or advice is updated.
Please find the latest information on the coronavirus as well as a factsheet from the Department on Health about the virus.
Any questions please shout.
| Kristy Malapa (Carstairs) Industry Relations Manager – SA,TAS, VIC, WA & YouthCorporate Affairs, Government & Industry | Tourism Australia E: kmalapa@tourism.australia.comConsumer: australia.com | twitter.com/SeeAustralia | facebook.com/SeeAustraliaCorporate: tourism.australia.com | twitter.com/TourismAus |  |
