Australia: Victoria requires arrivals from Auckland, New Zealand, to quarantine as of Feb. 25 /update 27

Event

Officials in Victoria require arrivals from Auckland, New Zealand, to quarantine at designated facilities for 14 days as of Feb. 25 due to COVID-19 concerns. The policy was introduced Feb. 24. Additionally, people who arrived from Auckland Feb. 23 are advised to undergo COVID-19 tests and quarantine until the test results return negative.

Public gatherings of up to 20 people and home visits with up to five people can occur. Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor public areas. Residents must also carry a facemask at all times and use it at any outdoor location where distancing of 1.5 meters (5 feet) is impossible.

Officials allow private and public offices with a COVIDSafe Plan to reopen and operate on-site with a maximum of 50 percent of staff. Companies must adhere to one person per two square meters (21 square feet), regardless of the total number of patrons, though restaurants, bars, and nightclubs can hold up to 25 people before density limits take effect. Entertainment venues can operate at a 50-percent capacity of up to 300 people. The government also requires high-traffic businesses and community venues to maintain contact details of patrons - usually through a quick response (QR) code - or restrict patrons to one person per four square meters (43 square feet).

Domestic Border Controls
Victoria allows travel from most Australian locations, though officials still require travelers to apply for a permit to enter the state.

Quarantine Requirements
The government continues to suspend international flights and its quarantine program until further notice.

Context

Victoria utilizes a three-tier system to guide domestic border restrictions. Travelers from green (lower risk) zones only require a permit for entry. Individuals who have traveled in an orange (intermediate risk) zone must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entry and self-quarantine until receiving a negative result. Visitors from red (high-risk) zones remain banned from entering Victoria without a government-issued exception. The government could modify entry restrictions at short notice depending on COVID-19 activity in other parts of Australia.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel. Confirm flight reservations if planning to travel to Melbourne in the coming weeks.

Resources

Victoria Government
Victoria Lockdown Restrictions
Victoria COVID-19 Reopening Roadmap
Victoria Department of Health and Human Services
Victoria Border Crossing Permit