Cruise ships have been banned from entering Australia's Queensland state waters until the pandemic is over.
On Friday, June 12, Queensland Health extended its ban on foreign-flagged cruise vessels from entering state's waters "until the end of the public health emergency". QLD's public health emergency expires on August 17, but that date can be extended.
4 of the 6 Queenslanders who died after contracting COVID-19 were cruisers. 3 of the deaths were linked to the ship Ruby Princess that was allowed to dock in Sydney NSW.
Cruise shipping companies have begun selling itineraries departing Brisbane QLD from September 2020. Brisbane's new cruise terminal is due to be completed in July.
The terminal is prepared to accept its first liner - the Carnival Corporation-owned Pacific Dawn, at 6 AM on October 3 (at Luggage Point). However, the date may be pushed back in case QLD's public health emergency is extended.
The Australian Border Force also issued a temporary ban on cruise ships, which expires on September 17.