Australia is currently not accepting entry of any travellers other than those who are Australian citizens, permanent residents or “those with exception”. For Britons who were hoping to jet off on holiday to the nation, it’s a devastating reality and one which could be in place for some time following recent developments.
As lockdown measures increase in Victoria, the Foreign Office (FCO) has issued a new update.
“Local authorities have taken a number of measures to manage ongoing outbreaks of coronavirus cases in Victoria.
“These are subject to change at short notice,” states the FCO website.
Tighter restrictions are already in place in the metropolitan areas of Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, but will soon be expanded across the wider Victoria region.
“These will be extended across all of Victoria from 11:59pm on 5 August,” explains the FCO.
“Under these restrictions, you can only leave home for four reasons: shopping for food and essential items; to provide care to others or to seek medical treatment; for exercise and to work or study if you cannot do so at home.
“If you live in Melbourne, you must not leave your home between 8pm and 5am unless for work, medical care or care giving.
“You may exercise within 5km of your home for up to an hour once a day.
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“Only one member of the household can go shopping once a day and only within 5km of your home.”
Melbourne Airport has also closed its doors to all incoming passenger flights until further notice.
Meanwhile, travel between Victoria and other states and territories is being strictly regulated.
On Sunday, authorities declared a “state of disaster” and police began to patrol the now deserted streets.
While travel across the rest of the world begins to ease up, restrictions are only getting tighter for Australia.
Though the nation managed to control the virus in the early days of the pandemic, its success appears to be wavering.
In Victoria alone, there have now been 18,318 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
As a result of the new developments, the FCO reimposed its travel advisory for the state.
“From 23 July, the FCO advises against all non-essential travel to the State of Victoria,” states the FCO.
“We advise British nationals in the State of Victoria to follow the advice of the local authorities there.”
Any British nationals hoping to return to the UK from Australia will be subject to a mandatory period of self-isolation.
The FCO explains: “When you return, you must follow the rules for entering the UK.
“From 10 July you will not have to self-isolate if you’re arriving and staying in England from a country or territory on the travel corridors list. “While Australia is on the travel corridors list, if your flight transits through a country that is not on the list, you will still need to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.”
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