Number: A003/2020
Relevant: Australians from Wuhan/Hubei
Topic: Novel Coronavirus Information for Travellers Arriving in Australia from China
Date: 30 January 2020
On the 29th of January 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australian Authorities were working in consultation with the Chinese Government to assist Australian Citizens that were abroad in mainland China and whom may be at risk of exposure to the Coronavirus.
These Australian Citizens are in need of support, however due to where they have been in China, there are certain procedures that must be followed.
As a result the Australian Government is working to provide them with an evacuation plan back to Australia to avoid the risk of any further exposure to the virus. This is an whole of government response but it is being led by the Department of Health and coordinated by the Australian Border Force.
I understand that the Christmas Island (CI) community is concerned about plans to establish coronavirus quarantine activities on the Island for Australians travelling from Wuhan/Hubei. The Department of Health is working with it’s partner agencies to provide a level of support to this group of evacuee’s that won’t place any further burden on the Indian Ocean Territory Health Services.
The Australian Government is working to provide protection and reduce the risk for all Australians potentially impacted by the coronavirus. Please rest assured that the CI community will be provided updates and further information as it comes to hand.
Please find the Australian Government’s first official statement on its assisted departure and quarantine response below.
If you require further information at this stage, please refer to the Australian Government Department of Health’s fact sheets or visit its website at www.health.gov.au
Mrs Natasha Griggs
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands