Coronavirus: China slams Australia’s ‘extreme measures’ after travel ban extended
- Australia has prevented people from mainland China from entering, at least until February 22, leaving Chinese students stranded and damaging tourism
- Nearly 1.5 million Chinese nationals visited Australia in 2018-19, official records show, accounting for about one in eight arrivals
After Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced the restriction, originally due to expire on Saturday, would be in place for at least an extra week, the Chinese embassy in Canberra issued a statement expressing its “deep regret and dissatisfaction”.
“Only Australia and a small number of countries have taken such extreme measures which are overreaction indeed,” it said. “China has taken the most comprehensive and rigorous prevention and control measures, many of which far exceed the requirements of the International Health Regulations and WHO recommendations.”
Australia’s home affairs minister Peter Dutton defended the decision.
“Of course we want to work very closely with the Chinese Government but our responsibility is to make sure that we keep Australians safe,” he told local media. “The advice from the CMO yesterday, who met with all of the CMOs from the states and territories, was clear and that is that the travel ban should be extended.
“The numbers are now over 60,000 and 1,370 deaths as at this morning. But we will assess it week by week and we will do what’s in our country’s best interest.”
Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation universities were trying to find solutions to accommodate international students.