Coronavirus Australia: Australian states close borders to stop virus spread

States and territories across the nation are going into full lockdown, closing borders to other Aussies to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are all following Tasmania’s lead and closing their borders.

Tasmania effectively shut its borders to nonresidents on Thursday by introducing a two-week quarantine period for anyone entering the state.

In the wake of stringent new domestic travel restrictions announced today by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, two other states and two territories have followed suit.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has announced the state’s borders will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday, after similar moves by Tasmania and Northern Territory.

“We do not make this decision lightly, but we have no choice,” Mr Marshall said at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the state’s cabinet.

“We make this decision in the interests of public health.

“What we are trying to do here is massively reduce the peak of the coronavirus impact and push it out into the future as far as possible.”

RELATED: Follow our live coronavirus updates here

LIVE: We are taking unprecedented action by ordering the effective closure of South Australia’s borders.

This measure will help protect the health of South Australians and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Watch Here: https://t.co/6YxY31q7b9

— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) March 22, 2020

Returning South Australian residents will be forced to self-isolate for 14 days and inform police where they will be. Road crossings and the airport will all be monitored.

SA Police will staff 12 border patrol stations.

The South Australian government believes many of its confirmed cases have come from interstate, and this decision will “turn off the tap”.

Yesterday, 17 new cases were confirmed in the state taking the South Australian total to 67

Police will stop vehicles from entering the state. Picture: ABC/Facebook

SA Police are carrying out random checks to ensure those who agree to the mandatory conditions of self-isolation are in fact doing so.

SA Premier Steven Marshall speaks to the media. Picture: Kelly Barnes/AAP

“This is no longer something which is optional,” Mr Marshall said. “It is mandatory.”

Freight and vital goods will still be allowed across the border.

Exceptions will also be made for those that identify the need to travel across borders for work or livelihoods.

It comes amid reports that NSW and Victoria are agitating for the national cabinet to extend lockdowns to all non-essential services, with potentially dramatic impacts on jobs and businesses.

Such a move could also result in schools being shut in those states this coming week.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia will shut its borders from 1.30pm on Tuesday, and anyone who enters from that time will need to self isolate for a fortnight.

Mr McGowan urged people to cancel their WA holidays and told locals to return home immediately.

* New border controls from 1.30pm.
Tuesday.
* interstate arrivals required to self isolate for 14 days.
* Exemptions for essential functions.
* Please cancel your holiday to Western Australia.

— Gareth Parker (@G_Parker) March 22, 2020

He also revealed the state was looking to acquire hotels to convert into isolation zones, and that Rottnest Island could be turned into a quarantine zone.

The tough new rules will apply to all roads, rail, air and sea routes into WA.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in WA stands at 67.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Border restrictions in the Northern Territory are also set to take effect from Tuesday as officials actively move to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The total number of cases of COVID-19 detected in the Territory now stands at five. Four of these were confirmed in the past 48 hours.

Those travelling to the Territory from other states will be required to go into quarantine for 14 days as part of new border restrictions the Northern Territory is introducing.

BREAKING: From 4pm this Tuesday, people who arrive in the #NorthernTerritory from interstate will be required to quarantine for 14 days as part of new border restrictions the #NT Government is introducing in response to the #coronavirus

— Emma Masters (@EmMasters) March 21, 2020

The territory is also bracing for a raft of stringent lockdown measures after tonight’s national cabinet meeting.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner is expected to make a public statement later this evening regarding a potential shutdown of schools and non-essential services after officials meet, the NT News reports.

New South Wales and Victoria are pushing for national school closures, with plans to implement these from Tuesday.

It is understood NSW and Victoria will close schools, regardless of if they get the go-ahead or not.

Originally published as Coronavirus Australia: Australian states close borders to stop virus spread