21 March 2022
Who does this notice affect?
Seaport owners and operators of biosecurity entry points (BEP) for 'passenger vessel baggage' (i.e. locations where cruise passengers disembark).
What has changed?
Seaport operators of BEP for 'passenger vessel baggage' are now required to implement additional human health facilities and procedures to effectively manage the increased human biosecurity risk of COVID-19. This is also necessary for operators to maintain compliance with the First Points of Entry (FPOE) Biosecurity Standards and regulatory requirements.
The ‘Cruise vessel standard – additional human health facilities and procedures’ document sets out the additional human health requirements operators need to meet. Changes include implementing a dedicated Health Room and procedures for managing the human biosecurity risk associated with ill travellers in the cruise terminal/facility.
The department will provide advice to operators regarding implementing the new requirements at their location, including conducting onsite assessments once facilities are put in place.
Operators must ensure that the new requirements are implemented before cruise passenger disembarks resume at their location.
Further information
Please see your port's FPOE determination to check if your location is listed as a BEP for passenger vessel baggage.
Please see First points of entry - seaport operator requirements for further information regarding FPOE operator requirements.
For any questions regarding the new requirements, please email biosecurityfirstpoints@awe.gov.au