Novel Coronavirus Travel Ban Extended Again – 21 February 2020 Update

Novel Coronavirus Travel Ban Extended Again – 21 February 2020 Update

A joint media release by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Health Minister has announced that the Novel Coronvirus (COVID-19) travel ban will be extended until Saturday 29 February 2020.
The National Security Committee of Cabinet decided that given the continuing coronavirus infections in mainland China, it is necessary that Australia continues the travel restrictions on foreign nationals entering Australia.
The Australian government has confirmed its position that:

Foreign nationals, with the exclusion of Australian permanent residents who have been in mainland China will be restricted from entering Australia for 14 days from the time they left mainland China.

The exemption to Australian citizens and permanent residents still applies and they will be able to enter Australia as will be their immediate family members which only include spouses, legal guardians and dependants.
The Australian government advised that it’s decision was guided by the expert medical advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee which is made up of the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer and chief medical officers from each Australian state and territory.