Key Findings
- Border measures were rapidly implemented at Australia’s international airports.
- Management of cruise ship arrivals was an early issue addressed quickly through development of a protocol by governments in cooperation with the cruise ship industry.
- Measures continued beyond the establishment of local transmission in Australia. It was not clear when to discontinue border interventions.
- Maintaining border measures and undertaking consequent contact-tracing activities placed a heavy burden on jurisdictional public health resources.
- The effectiveness and rationale for border measures generally need further consideration.
- Research indicates that border measures were seen by travellers as a proactive and important part of protecting the health of the Australian community.
Text box 4: Border measures guidance from AHMPPI 2008
Objective
Objective
- Operational objective 2: Minimise transmission
- 2.2 Border measures
- Border measures could delay entry of the virus for a short period of time if implemented early and if used in conjunction with other control measures.
- Border measures could help raise awareness among the travelling public and deter those with infection from travelling.
- Border measures are a whole-of-government decision. The health sector’s role is to provide advice to government regarding the effectiveness and timing of measures, and to assist with implementation.
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