Coronavirus travel bans are in force around the world, with many nations now closing their borders or limiting non-essential travel.

As confirmed cases globally approach the one million mark, and Australian cases pass 5,000, it’s important to revisit the travel restrictions and bans that are currently in place to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In Australia, there is currently a travel ban in place which restricts all overseas travel, with very few exceptions. The level 4 travel ban, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 26, means that you will not be able to depart Australia to travel overseas until the ban is lifted.

These restrictions also mean that only Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family are permitted to come into the country. In addition, all incoming arrivals are required to self-isolate for a mandatory period of 14 days at their port of arrival. Therefore, incoming arrivals are not permitted to return home prior to this quarantine period, which must be completed at a hotel or other available accommodation.

These new travel restrictions are on top of the existing advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which on March 18, recommended tob all Australians “do not travel overseas at this time” and supersedes all previous travel advice.

A full list of the destinations affected by this travel ban – including Bali, Japan, Italy, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Belgium, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom and United States of America – can be found on the Smart Traveller COVID-19 travel advice page.

During a pandemic such as this, entry, exit and transit conditions are likely to change unexpectedly or at short notice. As a result, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises all Australians to contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the countries they intend to visit prior to travelling.

This article has been updated, the information is correct at April 3, 2020. It was previously published on March 12, 2020.