Lyla Lindsey
The Australian government banned direct travel from China in February 2020, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The ban was initially scheduled for 14 days but was extended into a fourth week, until 29 February. Qantas suspended its direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February until 29 March. The Australian economy faced an estimated $8bn hit due to the outbreak, with the higher education sector being particularly hard-hit. Australian universities allowed some students from mainland China to circumvent travel restrictions, which critics warned could spread the virus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | 1 February 2020 |
| Airlines affected | Qantas |
| Flights affected | Sydney-Beijing, Sydney-Shanghai |
| Ban duration | 14 days initially, extended into a fourth week |
| Reason | Coronavirus outbreak |
| Impact | $8bn hit to Australian economy, 65,800 international students stranded |
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What You'll Learn
Qantas suspended direct flights to/from mainland China
Qantas Airways suspended its direct flights to/from mainland China in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension was in line with bans in the US and Singapore, affecting crew logistics. The Australian government had also raised its travel advice warning to level four, recommending no travel to mainland China.
Qantas announced it would suspend its direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February until 29 March 2020. The airline cited the need to ensure the safety of its customers and staff, as well as the containment of the virus, as the reasons for the suspension.
The suspension of Qantas's direct flights to/from mainland China had significant impacts on the Australian travel and tourism industry, particularly affecting the higher education sector. With an estimated 65,800 international visa-holding students stranded in China, universities reported losses and had to quickly adapt to remote learning. The Australian economy faced an estimated $8 billion blow due to the outbreak and the subsequent ban on travel from China.
In 2024, Qantas again suspended its direct flights to Shanghai, citing low demand. Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace stated that "since COVID, the demand for travel between Australia and China has not recovered as strongly as expected". The suspension was part of a broader strategy to boost flying to other popular destinations, with the airline announcing new routes from Brisbane to Manila and additional flights to Singapore and Bengaluru. Qantas maintained its presence in China through its existing flights to Hong Kong and partnerships with other airlines.
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Foreign arrivals from China banned
Australia banned foreign arrivals from mainland China in February 2020 as the death toll from coronavirus rose. The ban was initially scheduled for 14 days, but it was extended into a fourth week, until 29 February.
The Australian government raised the travel advisory warning to level four, recommending that no Australian travel to mainland China. Australian citizens coming from China were required to be quarantined for two weeks.
Qantas suspended its direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February until 29 March 2020. The airline's decision followed bans in the US and Singapore that affected crew logistics.
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, had called on the federal government to halt all flights to Australia from China. She backed "recommendations in relation to no more incoming flights until the virus is contained".
The ban had a significant impact on the number of passengers arriving from China. For example, in Melbourne, the number of expected passengers dropped from 5,000 to 700 over a 24-hour period. The Australian economy faced an estimated $8 billion hit due to the outbreak, with the higher education sector particularly hard hit.
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Universities allowed students to circumvent travel ban
Australia banned foreign arrivals from mainland China in February 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ban was initially scheduled for 14 days, starting from 1 February, but was extended into a fourth week until 29 February.
The ban hit the higher education sector hard, with around 65,800 international visa-holding students stranded in China. Universities scrambled to accommodate remote learning and manage staff workloads, particularly for casual staff. The National Tertiary Education Union called on the federal government to create a support package for the sector.
To circumvent the ban, some students traveled to a third country where they spent 14 days in self-quarantine before entering Australia. Australian universities allowed this, and in some cases, even provided financial assistance for students to make those trips. However, critics warned that this practice may inevitably import the infectious coronavirus to local campuses.
The Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, told CNBC that the government "has never encouraged students from mainland China to see out a 14-day period in a third country." He added that there was nothing within Australia's current travel restrictions to stop them from doing so. Universities maintained that they were following government guidelines and travel directives to decide which students they allowed back on campus.
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Australian economy impacted by ban
In early February 2020, Australia extended its ban on international arrivals who had travelled through China into a fourth week due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. The ban, which was initially imposed on 1 February for a 14-day duration, was extended due to the growing number of coronavirus cases in Hubei province, China.
The Australian economy was expected to face an estimated $8 billion hit due to the coronavirus outbreak, which was projected to cost the global economy US$1.1 trillion. The ban significantly impacted the higher education sector, affecting approximately 65,800 international visa-holding students in China and resulting in universities bracing for a $1.2 billion loss in income. The ban also disrupted the travel and tourism industry, with Qantas suspending direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February until 29 March 2020.
The National Tertiary Education Union urged the federal government to implement a support package for the higher education sector, addressing the concerns of casual staff facing reduced work hours and income loss. The extension of the ban also posed challenges for the university sector as it coincided with the start of the academic year.
The Australian government's decision to extend the ban was made to curb the spread of the coronavirus, prioritising public health over immediate economic considerations. The ban's impact on the economy highlighted the interdependence between Australia and China, with the travel restrictions and reduced tourism inflows from China causing significant financial repercussions for Australia.
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Australian citizens returning from China had to self-isolate for 2 weeks
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Australia banned direct travel from China from 1 February 2020. The ban was initially scheduled for 14 days but was extended into a fourth week until 29 February. This included Qantas suspending its direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February until 29 March.
The Australian government raised the travel advisory warning to level four, recommending that no Australian travel to mainland China. This advisory was issued to prevent Australian citizens from being affected by the coronavirus outbreak and to reduce the risk of them transmitting the virus upon their return. The government also warned that visas could be cancelled for those who attempted to enter Australia from China, unless they were Australian citizens, permanent residents, or immediate family members.
The ban on travel from China had a significant impact on the Australian economy, particularly the higher education sector. It is estimated that the economy faced a loss of $8 billion due to the outbreak, with universities reporting expected losses of $1.2 billion. The ban also stranded an estimated 65,800 international visa-holding students in China, affecting their ability to continue their studies.
To circumvent the travel ban, some students from mainland China travelled to a third country where they spent 14 days in self-quarantine before entering Australia. However, critics warned that this practice could spread the coronavirus and raised concerns about the effectiveness of self-quarantine measures.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia banned direct travel from China from 1 February 2020 until 29 February 2020.
The Australian government banned flights from mainland China due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Yes, the ban hit the higher education sector particularly hard, with around 65,800 international visa-holding students stranded in China.
