Australia shuts borders to Ebola-affected countries October 28, 2014 - 12:51AM
Dan Harrison
Health and Indigenous Affairs Correspondent
Sydney Morning Herald
Australia has temporarily closed its borders to people from Ebola-affected west African nations as it steps up the nation's defences against the virus.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told parliament on Monday Australia had suspended its immigration program, including its humanitarian intake, from Ebola-affected countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
"This means we are not processing any application from these affected countries," Mr Morrison said.
Mr Morrison added Australia was cancelling or refusing non-permanent or temporary visas for people from Ebola-affected nations who had not departed for Australia.
He said the government was ensuring that all people from Ebola-affected nations who had entered Australia through the humanitarian program before the suspension had undergone three separate health checks before their departure, and were being subject to on-arrival screening and post-arrival monitoring.
Other permanent visa holders from these nations were being required to submit to a 21-day quarantine period before their departure for Australia, Mr Morrison said.
"The government's systems and processes are working to protect Australians," Mr Morrison said.
[snip]
