Travel Warning – Advice on SARS

The Australian government is not banning travellers from Hong Kong to Australia due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and there are currently no quarantine restrictions on passengers arriving from Hong Kong who do not have the illness.

The Australian government is not banning travellers from Hong Kong to Australia due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and there are currently no quarantine restrictions on passengers arriving from Hong Kong who do not have the illness.It is not necessary for passengers to obtain a medical certificate to prove that they are healthy on arrival in Australia, although they may be required to do this to depart Hong Kong if they display any flu-like symptoms.The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has further advised that persons arriving in Australia with symptoms suggestive of SARS will be referred by airline and border authorities to be examined by health authorities. If the diagnosis of SARS cannot be excluded at the port of entry, the symptomatic person will be not be turned away from Australia, but will be referred for specialist diagnosis and treatment, and precautions taken to prevent the possible spread of infection to others. Australian health authorities are closely monitoring SARS and are in regular contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the matter.The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has advised that the risk of contracting SARS is low. The vast majority of cases have been contracted through close personal contact with a seriously ill person, almost exclusively in hospitals and between family members. There is a smaller risk of contracting SARS through other means. Persons planning to visit or transit Hong Kong should be aware that as a result of screening arrangements recommended by the World Health Organisation, individuals who show symptoms of SARS may not be allowed to depart immediately. In view of these circumstances the Australian Department of Health and Ageing strongly recommends that Australians consider defering, until further notice, non-essential travel to Hong Kong and nearby areas of mainland China. Australians resident in countries where local transmission of SARS has been reported, and who have chronic illnesses, should seek medical advice about any need for extra precautions. The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has advised that Australians in transit at Hong Kong airport are at very low risk of exposure to SARS. Nevertheless, it would be prudent, while in transit, to avoid close contact with persons who are unwell. If contact cannot be avoided, particularly with persons who are coughing, a simple surgical face-mask and regular hand washing will offer added protection. (Source: Australian Consulate General Hong Kong)