Coronavirus in Australia: Travel ban imposed on all non-citizens and nonresidents in unprecedented measure

The government has announced a historic ban on all non-citizens and nonresidents entering Australia in a bid to slow the coronavirus spread.

Australia will close its borders to all non-citizens and nonresidents from tomorrow night in a historic bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the measure at a press conference in Canberra today, as the country continues to reel from the pandemic, saying it was “essential” to get on top of the situation.

“About 80 per cent of the cases we have in Australia are either the result of someone who has contracted the virus overseas or someone who has had direct contact with someone who returned from overseas,” Mr Morrison said.

“So, the overwhelming proportion of cases in Australia have been imported.”

From Friday at 9pm, entry to Australia will be prohibited for all nonresidents and non-citizens until further notice.

The unprecedented step was decided at a meeting of the National Security Committee, Mr Morrison said.

“We are now no longer allowing anyone, unless they are a citizen or resident.”

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The normally bustling arrivals hall of Sydney International Airport. Picture: Richard Dobson

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces a travel ban on all non-citizens and nonresidents from Friday night. Picture: AAP

Australians overseas would still be able to enter the country freely but would be subjected to the 14-day isolation period, Mr Morrison said.

The government is working with Qantas to ensure there are some flights operating to allow Aussies to get home.

Earlier this week, Mr Morrison urged Australians to cease all international travel and recommended anyone overseas come home.

The number of non-Australians entering the country has already reduced significantly due to fears about the coronavirus and strict new self-isolation rules imposed earlier this week.

Mr Morrison revealed air travel arrivals were already one-third of what they traditionally were at this time of year.

Coronavirus has had a significant impact on the travel industry, with Qantas today suspending all international services and standing down some one-third of its entire workforce.

About 150 aircraft will be temporarily grounded, including all of Qantas’s A380s, 747s and 787-9s, and Jetstar’s 787-8 fleet.

About 20,000 Qantas and Jetstar staff will be stood down during that time. Qantas said in a statement to the ASX this morning the decision was made to “preserve as many jobs as possible longer term”.

Virgin Australia will suspend all of its international services from March 30 until June 14. It will also cut domestic capacity across Virgin and Tiger Air by 50 per cent.

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Australians have been urged to not travel overseas. Those already abroad have been told to rush home. Picture: AFP

The travel ban is the latest in a range of significant social distancing measures, including bans on non-essential outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people and indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.

It’s widely expected further restrictions could be implemented in the coming days and weeks if the infection spread rate doesn’t slow.

Mr Morrison acknowledged the situation was making many Australians anxious.

“But for the next six months we need to work together,” he said.

“We do need to moderate our behaviour and understand things need to change. It is not like before.

“But the phones still work, the hospitals still run, the shops are still open, the trucks are still getting to the shops. All of that is there.”

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Qantas has suspended all international flights and will stand down two-thirds of its workforce until the end of May. Picture: AAP

Mr Morrison said the country would be slowed down by coronavirus and life as we know it would change for many months to come.

“It will mean people will have to self-isolate. It will mean we will have to behave differently and that will happen for quite a period of time – six months, I believe, based on the advice I have, at least,” he said.

“We can do it. I have no doubt we can do it. We have to apply ourselves to it and encourage others to do the right thing.”