Australia enforces travel restrictions before the Christmas holidays to stop the spread of COVID-19 following a new outbreak in Sydney.
The country canceled a series of flights departing from Sydney Airport on Monday after 83 cases, the most recent outbreak, were reportedly linked to Sydney’s Northern Beaches region, the BBC reported. Most interstate travel restrictions were lifted before the outbreak.
Surfers ride a wave past a sign on a beach in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, December 19, 2020. (Photo AP / Mark Baker)
“The events of the last few days … are incredibly frustrating and disappointing for people across the country who had plans to reunite and move between states,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, according to the BBC.
Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory have temporarily banned arrivals from Sydney since Monday. Meanwhile, Tasmania and South Australia apply a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone traveling from Sydney.
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State authorities have observed fewer COVID cases since the last ban came into force. There were 15 new infections per month, or only half compared to the previous day’s number, out of 38,000 tests in 24 hours.
Sydney’s indoor meetings have been limited to 10 guests, and residents are now being asked to limit social work and wear a mask in public. Anyone living in Northern Beach will remain stranded until Wednesday.
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Several countries are refusing restrictions, with more than 40 now banning travel to the UK following news of a new strain of COVID that is said to be more infectious. British Airways agreed on Monday to test New York passengers for COVID-19 before flights, at the request of New York Governor Cuomo. Delta also said it would comply with the governor’s request that all passengers leaving the UK for New York take a PCR test 72 hours before departure.