CANBERRA, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s Health Minister, Greg Hunt, flagged a resumption of the cruise ship industry within months.
The federal government, yesterday extended the human biosecurity period, under which international cruise ships, capable of carrying more than 100 passengers, have been banned from Australian waters since Mar, 2020, until Apr 17.
However, Hunt said, the restrictions on cruise ships could be lifted earlier, if state and territory governments “ensure they are ready” with suitable safety protocols.
“It is an important sign of Australia returning to normal,” he told reporters yesterday afternoon.
“Work has advanced significantly with states and territories, it will be up to them to ensure they are ready, that they feel they are in a position to do this.
“We are simply in the position now of waiting for protocols to be agreed and developed by individual states and territories.”
The cruise ban was introduced after 2,700 passengers on board the Ruby Princess were allowed to disembark in Sydney, on March 19, 2020, without being tested for coronavirus.
The ship was responsible for Australia’s biggest COVID-19 outbreak in the early months of the pandemic, accounting for more than 900 infections and 28 deaths.
Yesterday’s announcement from Hunt was welcomed by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), after the 5.2-billion-Australian dollar (3.7-billion-U.S. dollar) industry expressed anger at being left out of the government’s decision, to open international border to tourists on Feb 21.
“We need governments to sign off on industry protocols, as soon as possible, so we can begin a careful and responsible revival of cruise tourism in Australia,” CLIA Managing Director, Joel Katz, said.
Australia this morning reported more than 20,000 new infections and 64 deaths – 32 in New South Wales, 19 in Victoria and 13 in Queensland.– NNN-AGENCIES