National cabinet: Biosecurity emergency measures extended until next year

International travel restrictions and a ban on cruise ships will be extended following the emergence of the Omicron strain.

Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt in Sydney’s Drummoyne on Friday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

International travel restrictions and a ban on cruise ships will be extended following the emergence of the Omicron strain, with Scott Morrison urging Australians to get a booster shot as soon as possible.

The new variant was the major topic of discussion at the final ­national cabinet of the year on Friday, with chief health officer Paul Kelly telling the nation’s leaders that health experts were still in the early stages of understanding the strain.

Under the two-month extension of the biosecurity emergency declaration, which is now due to end on February 17, four determinations will remain in place.

These are mandatory pre-­departure testing and mask use on international flights, restricting international travel from high-risk countries, rest­ricting unvaccinated Australians from international travel and restricting cruise vessels from entering Australia ­territory.

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Mr Morrison on Friday said the severity of the Omicron strain did not appear to be worse than Delta at this early stage, but he urged Australians to get their booster shot as soon as they were eligible.

“The severity of this virus is so far not presenting to be worse than what happened with Delta, and it’s important that people get those vaccinations,” he told 2GB on Friday.

“Australia’s vaccination right now is one of the highest in the world.”

Australians who received their second jab six months ago are now eligible for a Pfizer booster, while a Moderna dose will also be available as a third jab to those aged 18 years old and over, in the coming weeks.

“Please go and get your booster, because that will be important as we go into next year,” Mr Morrison said.

The extension of the biosecurity emergency period, which was first introduced in March 2020 and has been extended more than once, allows the federal government to continue to exercise certain powers to prevent and control Covid-19.

A similar extension to the powers was granted by the Governor-General in June this year.

“Continuation of these ­arrangements will allow the ­important measures currently in place to continue as the ­government continues to reopen Australia and act decisively to respond to the emergence of the Omicron variant,” the Department of Health said in a ­statement.

The government said it would continue to make decisions on international borders that were consistent with a suppression strategy.

“National cabinet noted the steps taken by the Commonwealth to adjust Australia’s international border settings in a manner consistent with a suppression strategy, and proportionate to the current health information on Omicron,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

“As more evidence relating to disease severity, transmissibility and vaccine effectiveness becomes available, the Commonwealth will continue to consider Australia’s international border settings in a manner consistent with a suppression ­strategy.”

The PMO said the Commonwealth continued to welcome Australian citizens, permanent residents and their families, New Zealand citizens, Singaporean citizens and other cohorts of travellers such as seasonal ­workers.

More than 88.9 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated, including more than 95.1 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 98.7 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.

National cabinet will meet again in February.