Australia cruise ship ban extended until September

The Australian Border Force has extended the ban on international cruise ship calls to mid-September.

Australia first announced a cruise ban in March until June but has now been extended until September 17.

It affects any cruise ship accommodating 100 or more passengers arriving from a foreign port.

"The minister for health extended the determination to prohibit the arrival at an Australian port of any international cruise ship that has left a foreign port. The restrictions included direct arrivals and round trip cruises," a statement said.

The Australian Border Force says it has been in constant contact with the cruise industry which has been cooperating and understands the reasoning behind the extension.

The decision is in line with Australia's human biosecurity emergency period which was extended to the same September date by Australian Governor-General David Hurley.

Clusters linked to cruise ship visits have been responsible for a large number of Covid-19 cases in Australia.

The US has a cruise ship ban in effect until July and the Seychelles has banned cruise ship calls until 2022.