Australia closes borders for six months

Australia has decided to halt all travel to the country for a period of six months. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents can come in, from March 20. All non-Australian residents will be barred from entering the country from Friday.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Australia has crossed 700, with majority of cases coming in through overseas travel.

Prime minister Scott Morrison said the travel ban was essential to stop the further spread of the virus. “The reason for this decision is that about 80% 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 has returned from overseas,” he said.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the international travel ban was likely to last six months.

Tasmania became the first Australian state to raise its borders forcing everyone entering the state to spend two weeks in quarantine. Australia’s neighbour New Zealand has also shut off entry into the country.