Passengers on international flights landing at Canberra Airport tomorrow will go into a mandatory 14 day quarantine as per new restrictions announced by the Federal Government today, 27 March.
The Federal Government introduced these restrictions because returning travellers continue to contribute to the majority of COVID-19 cases in Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday 27 March that National Cabinet has agreed to take action to further restrict the movement of incoming travellers and to increase compliance checks on travellers who are already undertaking their mandatory self-isolation period at home.
National Cabinet agreed that as soon as possible, but no later than 11.59pm Saturday 28 March, all travellers arriving in Australia will be required to undertake their mandatory 14 day self-isolation at designated facilities.
Designated facilities will be determined by the relevant state or territory government and will ordinarily be in the city of entry where the traveller has cleared immigration, but facilities in other areas may be used if required.
The vast majority (around 85%) of COVID-19 cases in Australia remain overseas acquired or locally acquired contacts of a confirmed case.
In a statement on Friday 27 March, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the decision made by the National Cabinet, following advice from the AHPPC, to introduce mandatory quarantine of all returning travellers, is an important step to help prevent a rapid spread of the virus.
“The ACT Government will work with Canberra Airport on the remaining international flights that will be arriving tomorrow. Any passengers on these flights who disembark at Canberra Airport will be required to go into a mandatory 14 day quarantine.”
Mr Barr also welcomed the Federal Government’s offer to provide Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to State and Territory governments to support the compliance of social isolation requirements.
“Right now, the ACT is monitoring hundreds of people that have been asked to self-isolate while they wait for testing, or they are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case. Monitoring these contacts will continue to be an onerous task on our local police force, and the offer of help from the ADF will enable the Territory to more effectively ensure people are doing the right thing.”
At this stage there are no further restrictions on business or activities however the message to Canberrans this coming weekend is to “stay at home”.
The ACT Government is expected to announce further economic measures next week. These measures will be aligned with additional stimulus measures that will be announced by the Federal Government. Additional funding is also expected to be announced for the health system.
