Greg Hunt, Australia's Health Minister, has predicted that the cruise ship industry will resume in the next months. According to media sources, the federal government on Friday prolonged the human biosecurity period, which has barred foreign cruise ships carrying more than 100 people from entering Australian seas since March 2020, until April 17.
Hunt, on the other hand, said that cruise ship restrictions may be relaxed sooner provided state and territory governments "ensure they are ready" with proper safety protocols. He told reporters, "It's a significant symbol of Australia getting back to normal." "Work with states and territories has progressed tremendously; now it is up to them to guarantee that they are ready, and that they believe they are in a position to do so."
"Right now, we're simply waiting for different states and territories to agree on and develop protocols," Hunt added. After 2,700 passengers on board the Ruby Princess were permitted to leave in Sydney on March 19, 2020, without being tested for coronavirus, the cruise ban was enacted.
In the early months of the pandemic, the ship was responsible for Australia's largest Covid-19 epidemic, with over 900 infections and 28 fatalities. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) applauded Hunt's news on Friday after the A$5.2 billion ($3 billion) sector expressed displeasure with the government's intention to open the international border to tourists on February 21.
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