Australians will be spending their summer holidays at home. Photo Credit: SaltyWings/TravMedia
Australians will need to holiday in their own backyard for a while
longer after the federal government extended its ban on outbound
international travel.
Australia is also extending a ban on cruise ships docking Down Under
until March 2021. It was originally due to be lifted 17 December.
This latest move under biosecurity regulations will mark a full year
since the barricades went up on Australia’s borders in the fight against
Covid-19.
“The Australian government is working closely with state and
territory agencies and the cruise industry to develop a framework for
the staged resumption of cruise ships in a manner that is proportionate
to the public health risk,” said federal health minister, Greg Hunt.
Australians can only leave the country with specific exemptions.
There have been more than 95,000 exemptions granted since the declaration was first made in March.
The extension of the travel ban is also challenging international airlines to align their schedules with weak demand.
Thai Airways has suspended flights to Brisbane and Perth until at
least 27 March next year and schedules beyond that date are still
uncertain.
However on 14 December, NZ prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced
the government is working towards launching a quarantine-free travel
bubble with Australia in early 2021.
Source: Travel Weekly Asia