Australia’s COVID-19 Human Biosecurity Emergency Pandemic Countermeasures Declaration expires on April 17, and will end if not renewed, the State’s Federal Minister of Health announced on March 25.
“I am currently making this decision to provide forward guidance on the advice of Professor Paul Kelly, Federal Chief Health Officer,” said Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. In release..
“The emergency period was an important early decision in Australia’s pandemic response. Australia has avoided some of the worst consequences of premature spread of the virus and is now one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. This has saved the lives of tens of thousands of people. “
Some of the federal pandemic measures that are ending include pre-departure testing for international arrivals in Australia by air or sea. Restrictions on cruise ships entering and entering Australian territory already announced on March 15th. Price gouging rules for rapid antigen testing.
Hunt said more than 500 million rapid antigen tests have arrived in Australia and are in abundant supply. That said, consumer monitoring agencies in this country carefully monitor test supplies to prevent price spikes.
However, not all federal pandemic measures have been completed, and international travelers entering and leaving Australia have been double vaccinated against COVID-19, a disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. You need to prove that you are.
Protective masks are still required on international flights. These maintained measures are implemented under the non-urgent provisions of the Biosecurity Act.
The implementation of federal and state measures under biosecurity law has violated Australian freedom in the last two years.
After WHO declared SARS-CoV-2 as an internationally concerned public health emergency on January 30, 2020, Congressmen amended the Biosecurity Act and created a public health order for the government. Enforce and declare a human biosecurity emergency.
After this, health authorities may impose human biosecurity management orders on people who may be infected with COVID-19. This was the primary method of federal and state governments to manage risks to human health, according to Biosecurity Act. Federal authority extended to aircraft and ships that entered Australian territory.
The Biosecurity Act has also given the Federal Minister of Health special authority to enact World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
However, Australia did not always follow WHO’s advice on COVID-19. For example, Australia could close its borders in March 2020, contrary to WHO advice, to reduce premature transmission of the virus through international travelers.
“The Morrison government has taken strong action in the process of a pandemic to protect Australians. It is a difficult but decisive action to close the border early, and Australia controls the pandemic, We were able to minimize the loss of life, “Mr. Hunt said, referring to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coalition government.
“We appreciate the resilience, cooperation and understanding of following the medical advice that keeps us safe.
“It’s been difficult for the last two years, but we’ve shown the best in Australia. People care for each other, work from home, homeschool and, importantly, get vaccinated. “I will.”
During the state of emergency, extended every three months from March 2020, state officials, both federal and state governments, will investigate penalties for violations of the COVID-19 Health Order, including fines and the provision of warrants. And had the authority to enforce. Enter the premises. In some limited cases, officers may enter the premises without a warrant or consent.
In addition to federal measures, states and territories may impose their own COVID-19 Public Health Orders based on the medical advice of the Chief Health Officer. In many cases, the measures taken by these quasi-national jurisdictions had a far greater impact on the daily lives of the people.
For example, it was state and territory leaders who imposed most restrictions, blockades, and vaccine obligations with only occasional backlash from the federal government.
The main purpose of pandemic measures under the Biosecurity Act was to protect human lives, but the government’s response imposes extreme restrictions such as closing businesses and venues, attending places of worship and weddings. Was severely restricted. And a funeral.
At some point in July 2021, more than half of Australia’s 25 million people were subject to a stay-at-home order. At that time, some state leaders used emergency authority to maintain blockades and restrictions until 70-80% of the states were first vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott calls some of the state government’s actions a “health dictatorship.”
It is not yet clear whether quasi-nation-states and quasi-state governments can follow suit and end their emergency powers.
Queensland Government, March 18, 7 days ago. Extending their emergency public health declaration Until 11:59 pm on June 24th.
Under these instructions, thousands of workers in the health education sector were suspended because they had not been vaccinated with COVID-19.
The Epoch Times also understands that many suspended Queensland teachers and school-based staff are expected to be dismissed before the Queensland Emergency Public Health Declaration ends. I am.
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Caden Pearson is a writer and editor based in Cairns, Australia. He mainly writes about national affairs, Indo-Pacific geopolitics, and COVID-19 measures and pushbacks. He has a background in screenwriting and documentary. Contact him at [email protected]