Australia's nearly two-year-old ban on cruise ships entering the country's waters will end on April 17, Health Minister Greg Hunt said Tuesday according to the dpa. The government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison decided not to renew the ban which has been in place since March 2020, Hunt said in a joint media release with Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan. Additional security measures have been adopted. These include improved reporting of Covid-19 cases before ships arrive on Australian shores as well as stress testing of the emergency response system. Passengers arriving in Australia will need have proof they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Australia reopened its borders to fully vaccinated international travellers on February 21, after nearly two years. The country closed its borders to all but citizens and permanent residents, with few exceptions, in March 2020.
