Australians warned against travelling to Japan and South Korea over coronavirus fears as government urges people to ‘exercise high degree of caution’
- A new coronavirus warning has been issued by DFAT for South Korea and Japan
- Australian travellers have been told to ‘closely follow the advice of authorities’
- Some 47 Australians are currently being treated for the deadly disease in Japan
A warning has been issued to Australians travelling to Japan and South Korea after a rise in the number of cases of coronavirus in the region.
Travellers are being told to exercise a high degree of caution in both countries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) urged travellers to both Japan and South Korea to: ‘Monitor your health closely and follow the advice of local authorities’.
There are 47 Australians receiving medical treatment in Japan after testing positive to coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.
Another 170 have been flown back to Australia after evacuating the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama last week.
Seven evacuees have tested positive to COVID-19 since their arrival in Darwin, with six sent back to their home states for treatment and the seventh being transferred on Monday.
The remaining cruise ship passengers will be quarantined at Howard Springs for at least two weeks.
There have been 22 cases of coronavirus in Australia.
Ten people have recovered and the others are in a stable condition.
Meanwhile, 266 people who arrived on a flight from Wuhan on February 9 are on their way home from Darwin on Monday following 14 days of isolation.
None tested positive for the disease.
Australia has imposed a travel entry ban for Chinese passengers, but relaxed the rules for Year 11 and 12 students, apart from anyone who remains in the Hubei province, the epicentre of the virus outbreak.
There have been 78,973 cases worldwide and 2466 deaths.
Air New Zealand has suspended flights to South Korea after the country experienced a surge in reported cases of the virus.
Australia does not have a local carrier that flies into South Korea, meaning the government would have to advise airlines about their travel routes.
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the government updated advice about flight paths and travel warnings every day.