In an effort to prohibit the foot and mouth illness from entering Australia, sanitization mats will be installed at international airports.
It is the most recent action taken by the federal government to stop the animal sickness from spreading on Australian soil.
The disease’s spread has been a problem for Indonesia since it was recently discovered in Bali, a well-liked vacation spot for Australian tourists.
The disease is expected to cost Australia’s economy $80 billion over the course of ten years if it is allowed to spread there.
Murray Watt, the minister of agriculture, stated that the mats will add an additional line of defence against an outbreak.
But he added that Australians leaving the area should still clean their clothing and shoes, or if possible, leave their footwear abroad.
According to a statement released by Senator Watt on Wednesday, “there is no biosecurity silver bullet.”
“Our biosecurity controls use a multi-layered strategy to reduce the risk of FMD (foot and mouth disease),” the statement reads.
The mats will be distributed this week, beginning at the airports in Darwin and Cairns.
According to Senator Watt, they are meant to serve as a tangible reminder to travellers about the disease’s risk.
Visitors coming from Indonesia to Australia will be required to walk across the mats to sanitise their shoes.
To remove any dirt from the shoe sole and coat it in acid, the mats contain a citric acid solution.
Passenger declarations, profiling of all travellers arriving from Indonesia, real-time risk assessments, interrogations, and shoe cleaning are additional biosecurity measures.
The government last week announced a $14 million biosecurity package for additional frontline defences in airports and mail facilities as well as assistance for Indonesia and neighbouring nations to stop the spread.
For the first time in eight months, Senator Watt will meet with his state and territory counterparts to discuss additional measures.