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This instrument is the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020.
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Commonwealth legislation
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
This instrument formally declared a "human biosecurity emergency" under the Biosecurity Act 2015 in response to COVID‑19 (SARS‑CoV‑2), finding the virus had entered Australia, was potentially fatal, lacked vaccine or treatment, and posed an immediate national threat. It activated extraordinary federal powers allowing the Health Minister to issue nationwide emergency requirements affecting everyone in Australia.
It was the legal basis for most federal pandemic measures from its January 2020 start until it ended on 17 April 2022.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020.
This instrument is the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020.
This instrument is made under section 475 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.
A human biosecurity emergency exists.
This instrument relates to human coronavirus with pandemic potential.
Note 1: COVID‑19 is the name given by the World Health Organization to the disease.
Note 2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is the name given by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses to the virus that causes the disease.
Human coronavirus with pandemic potential is an infectious disease: (a) that has entered Australian territory; and (b) that is fatal in some cases; and (c) that there was no vaccine against, or antiviral treatment for, immediately before the commencement of this instrument; and (d) that is posing a severe and immediate threat to human health on a nationally significant scale.
This instrument is in force during the period: (a) beginning when this instrument commences; and (b) ending at the end of 17 April 2022.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
This instrument is the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020.
This instrument is made under section 475 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.
A human biosecurity emergency exists.
This instrument relates to human coronavirus with pandemic potential.
Note 1: COVID‑19 is the name given by the World Health Organization to the disease.
Note 2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is the name given by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses to the virus that causes the disease.
Human coronavirus with pandemic potential is an infectious disease: (a) that has entered Australian territory; and (b) that is fatal in some cases; and (c) that there was no vaccine against, or antiviral treatment for, immediately before the commencement of this instrument; and (d) that is posing a severe and immediate threat to human health on a nationally significant scale.
This instrument is in force during the period: (a) beginning when this instrument commences; and (b) ending at the end of 17 April 2022.