SYDNEY: Australia’s most populous state on Wednesday (Dec 16) reported its first coronavirus case in almost two weeks after an airport employee examined positive prompting authorities to suggest international flight crews also need to quarantine after arriving.
A 45-year old man who shuttles international airline workers to the airport examined positive for COVID-19, New South Wales (NSW) state Health Minister Brad Hazzard informed reporters.
Hazzard stated the government will discuss with international airlines within the next 48 hours to suggest changes to current quarantine guidelines for aircrew.
“The inclination presently is … that international aircrews coming into New South Wales will most likely be required to quarantine in the same means as some other international visitors,” he stated.
Returning travelers from abroad are required to be quarantined for 14 days however Hazzard said airline crews need not undergo the necessary isolation for the same length.
“Because the virus seemed to be contained when it comes to community transmission, our most exposed areas are principally around our borders … we may be an island however we’re not completely isolated from the pandemic that’s raging across the world,” he stated.
Australia has largely contained the community transmission of the virus and finally reported a local case on Dec 3 when a hotel quarantine worker in Sydney examined positive for the virus.
Australia has reported simply over 28,000 cases of COVID-19 and 908 deaths since the pandemic started but estimates there are less than 50 active cases remaining, mostly returned travelers from abroad in hotel quarantine.
