Hundreds of returned travellers land in Australia sparking virus fears – with health authorities predicting up to 250 airline passengers could result in huge outbreak
- More than 250 passengers arrived at Adelaide Airport on Saturday morning
- The travellers, who will now be quarantined, came from Mumbai via Singapore
- Health Minister Stephen Wade said coronavirus cases should be expected
Hundreds of travellers have arrived in Australia from India, sparking fears there could be another spike in COVID-19 cases.
More than 250 passengers arrived at Adelaide Airport on Saturday morning on a flight from Mumbai via Singapore.
The travellers will now be required to spend two weeks in supervised hotel quarantine.
Authorities wore face masks and provided hand sanitiser to each of the passengers before they were transferred to the Pullman hotel in the CBD by bus.
More than 250 passengers arrived at Adelaide Airport on Saturday morning on a flight from Mumbai via Singapore. Pictured: Travellers arrive in Adelaide in April
Authorities wore face masks and provided hand sanitiser to each of the passengers before they were transferred to the Pullman hotel in the CBD by bus. Pictured: Travellers arrive in Adelaide in April
On Friday, Health Minister Stephen Wade said a number of COVID-19 cases should be expected among the returning passengers.
Mr Wade said all those arriving in SA would be tested when they landed and while in isolation.
‘What we’ve seen interstate is about five to 10 per cent of travellers returning from the subcontinent have tested positive on their arrival,’ he said.
‘If we see similar figures in SA we could expect up to 25 new cases from these planes.’
In May, about 680 repatriated Aussies also flew into Adelaide on two separate flights from India.
They were isolated in two hotels in the city, with none testing positive for COVID-19.
The travellers will now be required to spend two weeks in supervised hotel quarantine. Pictured: Two women wear face masks at the airport
As of Friday, South Australia had not recorded a new coronavirus infection for 31 days.
The state is sticking with its plan to reopen borders to all states on July 20 but is looking to restrict travellers from COVID-19 hotspots.
‘We’re gradually moving to put restrictions in place around identified hot spots, rather than blanket restrictions by states or territories,’ Mr Marshall said on Friday.
‘There will be some time until they get their new infections under control but … we feel very confident Victoria will get on top of their problems.’
With 30 new cases reported in Victoria on Friday, Mr Marshall said SA would continue to monitor its progress.
SA has already lifted border restrictions for Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
On Friday, Health Minister Stephen Wade said a number of COVID-19 cases should be expected among the returning passengers