Still no WHO recommendation to restrict international travel.
The WHO continues to advise against any restrictions on international travel or trade.
Global cases of coronavirus continue to rise – virus reaches Belgium
There are now over 24,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus across countries. Belgium has reported its first confirmed case. The global death toll has risen to close to 500 and the second death outside China recorded in Hong Kong. The death toll in China from the virus logged its highest one day rise on 3 February. Over 900 people are said to have recovered from the virus. For more information regarding confirmed and recovered cases visit this heat map.
China
Confirmed cases of coronavirus continue to rise in China
China is reported to have over 24,000 confirmed and over 23,000 suspected cases of the coronavirus. Of these approximately 2788 have been classified as severe.
Macau casinos asked to shut their businesses for 14 days
According to Reuters, officials in Macau have requested that its 41 casinos close their businesses for two weeks to help control the coronavirus outbreak.
Australia
Restrictions on travellers from China is likely to extend beyond 14 days
According to the Australian newspaper, Health Minister Greg Hunt has said the ban on travellers from China would not “suddenly be turned off” after a fortnight. “We expect it will continue. We’re not putting a timeframe on it,” Mr Hunt said.
Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia reach 13
To date, thirteen cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Australia: three in Queensland, two in South Australia, four in Victoria and four in New South Wales (as at 5 February). 213 suspected cases are under investigation including 2 in the Northern Territory. Of the thirteen confirmed cases three patients have recovered.
Chinese passport holders who can prove they have been in a third country for at least a month will be admitted to Australia
Australia’s higher education Global Reputation Task Force says the government has agreed that Chinese passport holders who are overseas but can prove they have been in a third country for at least a month will be admitted to Australia. The concession was the result of the first meeting of the Task Force on 3 February.
2 Australian passengers test positive for coronavirus on board cruise ship quarantined in Japan
Nearly 4000 passengers and crew (among them 223 Australian passengers and 3 Australian crew) aboard cruise ship Diamond Princess have been quarantined by Japanese authorities in Yokohama port for 2 weeks. Japanese authorities are undertaking coronavirus screening for all passengers and crew. So far 2 Australian passengers have confirmed cases of coronavirus.
BUSHFIRE
Media attention shift – continuing to reinforce Australia is Open for business
Media attention globally has shifted away from Australia’s bushfires, particularly as media outlets increasingly focus on the impact of the coronavirus. Tourism Australia however continues to work with consumer and trade media in key markets internationally to reinforce the message that Australian tourism is open for business. To support this we continue to update our Bushfire Safety information page online on a daily basis, including our bushfire map highlighting those areas that have been impacted and those that remain unaffected, this in turn helps to generating positive, factual media coverage internationally, such as this story published in today’s Houston Chronicle.
If you have any queries or comments, please let Bede Fennell or I know. bfennell@tourism.australia.com
Phillipa Harrison
Managing Director | Tourism Australia
T: +61 2 9361 1303 | M: +61 (0) 439 131 185 | E: pharrison@tourism.australia.com
Office: Level 29 420 George Street Sydney 2000
Consumer: australia.com | twitter.com/Australia | facebook.com/SeeAustralia
Corporate: tourism.australia.com | twitter.com/TourismAus