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The ban on cruise ships is likely to end on April 17, with a formal announcement expected in the next couple of days, Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan says.
Mr Tehan says the federal government is just waiting for the tick of approval from the NSW and Queensland governments, which are finalising state health protocols.
‘We have agreed in the next day we are going to get all the work necessary so hopefully on Wednesday we can announce that April 17 is the day that cruising can begin again,’ the minister told Sky News.
‘Wonderful news’ for the tourism sector: cruise ship ban expected to wind up on April 17 2022
‘We now see absolutely no reason why we can’t make that formal announcement now that we have NSW and I am pretty sure we are going to have Queensland onboard.’
Mr Tehan said the resumption is ‘another piece of wonderful news’ for the tourism industry and Australia continues to re-open to the world.
The minister said the Commonwealth has been ready to go for a number of weeks.
‘We just got to make sure NSW and Queensland tick off on what their health officials say and if they do that, we’re there,’ he said.
‘The Commonwealth wants to go. I have been pushing for us to go for a number of months.
The ban started in March 2020 after the scandalous arrival of passengers from the Ruby Princess cruise ship into the Sydney community.
This event triggered the country’s first major Covid-19 outbreak, which lead to at least 900 infections and 28 deaths.
Source: Daily Mail
