Quarantine Ends for Hundreds of Australians

New Zealand passengers from the Vasco Da Gama cruise ship check in for their Air New Zealand flight to Auckland at Perth International Airport on March 28, 2020. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Hundreds of Australian travellers being kept in mandatory quarantine in Sydney hotels are set to end their two-week confinement in time for Easter.

About 1300 people who arrived at Sydney International Airport after the clampdown on March 29 are finishing their 14-day quarantine on Saturday, NSW Police said.

They will undergo a final health check before they are allowed to leave for their homes around the country.

Police are overseeing the departures, assisted by health authorities, the Australian Defence Force and hotel staff.

Coaches will run to Sydney’s airport throughout the day, but some won’t be able to return to their home states on Saturday due to flight schedules.

“The remaining travellers are being assisted with alternate arrangements, as required,” police said in a statement on Saturday.

“The operation will run each day as returned travellers continue to complete their mandatory quarantines and depart hotels across Sydney CBD.”

The NSW health minister issued an order directing all overseas arrivals to go directly to a quarantine facility from March 29 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.