A record 32 cruise ships called at Port Burnie (Tasmania Australia) in the 2019-2020 season before the ban was imposed due to the COVID crisis.
Federal health minister Greg Hunt announced on Friday, December 10, the human biosecurity emergency period, which cruises fell under, would be extended by 2 months to February 17.
According to Hunt, the ban's extension (made by the Governor-General) had been informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
He added that the continuation of the arrangement would "allow the important measures currently in place to continue as the Government continues to reopen Australia and act decisively to respond to the emergence of the Omicron variant."
According to Burnie's Mayor Steve Kons, the council would welcome the return of cruise ships once the Government of Tasmania approved their return, but understood there might be hesitation.
"The return of cruise ships to Burnie is governed by the state government so we are reliant upon their decision to reopen the industry, which will be informed by public health advice.
"Burnie City Council's role is to ensure that we are ready to receive visitors back to our city at the earliest opportunity.
"The City of Burnie has a 20-year history in providing a world-class meet-and-greet service to the cruise ship industry."