Australia has extended its ban on cruise ships entering Australian waters until mid December.
The ban, which includes overseas travel, was announced on Thursday by Australia's Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt.
An emergency period of the Biosecurity Act of 2016 will be extended until December 17, 2020. It was previously set to expire on September 17.
The order encompasses restrictions on overseas travel, the entry of cruise ships into Australia, the supply and sale of certain essential goods and retail stores at international airports.
"The extension of the emergency period was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)," according to a statement from Mr. Hunt.
"The AHPPC has advised that the international and domestic COVID-19 situation continues to pose an unacceptable public health risk," he said.
The announcement by the Australian government follows Royal Caribbean's decision a week ago to cancel all of its cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand on or before October 31, 2020.
