ABF extends ban on cruise ships until September 17
Australians hoping to take a cruise amid easing coronavirus travel restrictions still have a wait ahead of them, with a ban on cruise ships extended until September 17.
The Australian Border Force first banned cruise liners from entering Australian waters on March 27.
The move came as coronavirus cases escalated across the nation, many of them linked to recently docked cruise ships.
A water police boat is seen as the Ruby Princess cruise ship docks at Port Kembla on April 23, shortly before the infamous vessel left Australian waters. Getty
At the time, there were 28 cruise liners in Australian waters, including the Ruby Princess.
The now-infamous vessel has been linked to hundreds of COVID-19 cases globally and 22 deaths and is now the subject of a massive police probe and a NSW government inquiry.
The ban prevents any ship capable of carrying more than 100 passengers from operating cruises in Australia, including direct arrivals and round trip cruises.
"The Australian Border Force has been in constant contact with the cruise industry which has been cooperative and understands the Government's overwhelming priority to ensure the health and safety of the broader Australian community," the ABF said in a statement announcing the extended
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