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SAIBAI ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Royal Australian Navy officers are seen aboard a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) making their way to the HMAS Wollongong, which is currently patrolling in waters off Saibai on March 26, 2021 in Saibai Island, Australia. The RHIBs provide the Royal Australian Navy with an over the horizon interception and boarding capability. Australian Border Force and Defence Force personnel are currently patrolling waters in the northern department of Torres Strait as part of Maritime Border Command operations to protect the Australian border as neighbouring Papua New Guinea battles a COVID-19 outbreak. Australia closed international borders in March 2020 due to the global coronavirus pandemic, including the banning of movement under a special treaty that usually allows travel between PNG and islands in the Torres Strait which are only kilometres apart. Although emergency measures were introduced last week blocking flights from PNG as the Pacific nation's COVID-19 case numbers grew, sea and air patrols across Torres Strait have also increased to ensure the virus doesn't arrive in the local community. (Footage by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)