Australian Biosecurity Emergency Act will not be renewed.
After some of the strictest Covid mandates in the Western world and only a handful of Covid only deaths in both New Zealand and Australia , free-thinking citizens finally see some of their freedoms being restored.
Australian Health Minister, Greg Hunt, states that by April 17, he will “lose the plenary powers” which came with the emergency declaration that was enforced on the Australian public 2 years ago.
Losing the powers was “about normalising Australia,” he claims.
As well as ending the emergency powers, pre-flight Covid-19 testing will also end, and the cruise line operation prohibition will end.
He also said rules related to rapid antigen test price gouging would be scrapped, reports Sky News Australia (Mar 25).
On the Ministers Department of Health website, Hunt states this decision was made “Following medical advice” from “Professor Paul Kelly, the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.”
“International travellers into and out of Australia will still be required to provide proof of double vaccination against COVID-19. Travellers will also still be required to wear a mask while on international flights based on medical advice. These measures will be implemented under the non-emergency provisions in the Biosecurity Act. The requirements for maritime arrivals will also be aligned with those on airlines, as part of the safety protocols for the resumption of cruising.”
Hunt continues:
“We thank Australians for their resilience, their cooperation, and their understanding in following the medical advice which has kept us safe.
The past two years have been challenging, but we have shown the best of Australia – people caring for each other, working from home, home schooling, and importantly being vaccinated.
The COVID-19 and Influenza Winter Plan will ensure our health system is prepared, and despite an increase in the past week of cases due to the Omicron variant, hospital admissions and ICU cases have not had the same increase. This is a promising sign.”
