Australia extends coronavirus quarantine measures

Australia has extended its travel ban on foreign nationals travelling from mainland China to 22 February, with it continuing to impose a 14-day quarantine on vessels departing the country bound for Australian ports.

The Australian federal government is regularly reviewing the situation and may further extend the restrictions beyond 22 February.

The restrictions are causing scheduling issues for Australian energy and mineral shipments, which has been compounded by bad weather and cyclones on the east and west coasts of Australia over the past two weeks.

Vessels must declare if any of the crew has a fever, breathlessness or flu-like symptoms. If there is any sickness on vessels from mainland China within the quarantine period, then the quarantine will be restarted for a further 14 days.

By Jo Clarke