This March 14, 2020 photo shows planes sitting at gates at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne. Australia has announced that anyone arriving into the country will face mandatory 14-day self-isolation. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

HONG KONG – Thousands of tourists have been affected by the cancellation of all tours to Australia owing to a change of the country’s entry policy, which requires all arrivals to stay self-quarantined for 14 days starting from 9pm on Sunday (HK Time). 

Many travel agencies in Hong Kong have postponed their Australia tours to mid-April. 

One agency, Sunflower Travel, announced that it would cancel all tours to Australia from Sunday to April 15. Hong Thai Travel Services, another one, also suspended its Australian tour groups. Customers can choose to go to other destinations or ask for a refund, the company said. 

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Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong said six travel agencies have suspended their Australian tours. 

It is however could not be known immediately how many tourists will exactly be affected by the move.  

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The new requirement by Australia to combat the global novel coronavirus pandemic comes after similar measures by other countries. So far, Australia has recorded over 260 confirmed infection cases. It has also banned all cruise ships from docking at its ports.