SYDNEY, March 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Australia on Sunday announced anyone arriving into the country will face mandatory 14-day self-isolation, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“We are going to have to get used to some changes in the way we live our lives,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, adding the measure will come into effect from midnight (1300 GMT Sunday).
Australia will also ban cruise ships from foreign ports from docking in Australia for 30 days, with the order to be renewed on a rolling basis, Morrison said.
The government will also prohibit mass gatherings of 500 people or more, though schools will remain open, he said.
“We are going to have to get used to some changes in how we live our lives over the next six months or so,” Morrison said.
“We know that the virus cannot be absolutely stopped,” he said. “But we can slow the spread” to protect the most vulnerable in society.
Australia has recorded more than 250 coronavirus cases and three deaths.
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Sunday that the government’s approach was designed to “flatten the curve” of coronavirus infections to avoid the country’s healthcare system from being overwhelmed.
