Coronavirus: Aussies could be left trapped in disease’s epicentre, Dutton warns

Australians still travelling to China during the coronavirus outbreak against Government advice have been warned they could get trapped if the borders are closed.

PETER Dutton has warned Australians still travelling to China during the coronavirus outbreak against Government advice they could get trapped if the borders are closed.

The Home Affairs Minister said despite the Government arranging emergency evacuations for about 270 Australians trapped in the epidemic’s epicentre of Wuhan, there were no guarantees about future mercy flights.

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“There are people travelling from Australia to China now even though we’ve had in place travel advice ‘do not travel to China’ and those people frankly are putting themselves in a difficult situation,” he told media.

People stand on balconies on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

“They would find it very hard to get back to Australia in certain circumstances and you can’t guarantee their return particularly if China shuts its borders.”

He also revealed the Government was not planning to evacuate 223 Australians quarantined on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored off the Japanese coast.

More than 60 passengers including seven Australians aboard the ship have tested positive for the potentially deadly virus.

Medical staff clad in protective gear prepare to provide care for suspected coronavirus patients onboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

“The Japanese authorities have an advanced health system, they are dealing with what is a very difficult situation,” he said.

“We’re worried about whether other cruise ships and tour groups elsewhere might be affected as well.

“We’re working with Australian citizens who have registered with DFAT to make sure that we can provide whatever assistance is possible.”