Victoria has extended its quarantine restrictions for international arrivals in a bid to limit the spread of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 as experts work to understand its risks.
The rules were initially put in place for three days on Saturday,following changes to national border security measures by the Commonwealth,and were due to be reviewed today. Five cases of the variant have been confirmed in NSW.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the extension in a statement this afternoon,saying:“The last couple of days have shown us that this isn’t over and our response needs to be nimble.
“We’re taking proportionate,precautionary steps to keep Victorians safe until we know more about Omicron and the risks it poses to our community.”
Travellers arriving in Victoria who have visited one of eight countries of concern in southern Africa must quarantine for 14 days,regardless of their vaccination status.
The countries of concern are South Africa,Lesotho,Botswana,Zimbabwe,Mozambique,Namibia,Eswatini and Malawi.
Seychelles has since been removed from the list,which means arrivals from the island nation will follow the same rules as other overseas arrivals from midnight tonight.
All international arrivals from countries other than those listed above are required to get a PCR test and isolate for 72 hours upon landing. They also have complete additional PCR testing on days 5 and 7.
(As reported earlier today,NSW will require international arrivals from countries other than the eight countries of concern in southern Africa to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test before exiting isolation after 72 hours,and they must be re-tested on day six after arrival).
Flight crews who have been overseas during the 14-day period before their arrival to Victoria also have to quarantine for 72 hours or until their next flight.
Vaccinated aircrew who have been to a country of concern have to quarantine for 14 days. International staff who are not from Victoria will have to quarantine at a designated hotel.
Anyone already in Victoria who has been in any of the eight African countries within the past 14 days has to get tested immediately,isolate for 14 days and call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Mr Andrews this morning confirmed his government would not require international travellers to undertake 14 days’ quarantine in response to the emergence of Omicron variant.
“I don’t think it will be extended beyond the 72 hours,but I think three days at home and a negative test for instance,that may be what we move to and that might be enduring for a little while,not forever,” Mr Andrews said.
“I don’t think we need to go to 14 days at this stage,I certainly have no advice to go to 14 days. I spoke with[Qantas CEO] Alan Joyce yesterday morning,we know and understand what the consequences of that would be. It would be very,very significant.”