Qantas among ASX travel shares hit by Victorian COVID-19 outbreak

Qantas Airways Limited and Webjet Limited are among the companies affected by Victoria's latest COVID-19 outbreak. We take a closer look.

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Qantas Airways Limited (ASX:QAN) and Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) are among the companies whose share price has seemingly been impacted by Victoria's spike in COVID-19 cases.

Shares in Qantas have fallen 0.42% today, after more restrictions on Victorian's ability to travel were implemented. The Qantas share price is currently $4.69.

Webjet shares are also down, trading for $4.95. That's 0.5% lower than their closing price yesterday.

The Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) share price has fallen 1.33%. Currently, shares in the company are swapping hands for $14.89.

The Auckland International Airport Limited (ASX: AIA) share price has also fallen 2.2% to trade for $6.66. This fall comes as New Zealand pauses the quarantine-free travel bubble between it and Victoria.

Let's take a closer look at the spike in COVID-19 cases facing Victoria.

A large plane rolls down a runway with a sunny blue sky behind it as brokers reveal their outlook for the Flight Centre share price in FY23

Image source: Getty Images

Victoria's latest outbreak

Since yesterday, Victoria has recorded 15 COVID-19 cases, all linked to a positive case in Whittlesea.

The new cases have been genetically linked to the Wollert case. The Wollert case occurred earlier this month, when a man who spent two weeks in hotel quarantine in South Australia tested positive for COVID-19 in Victoria.

Contract tracers are still looking for the missing link between the Wollert case and the Whittlesea man.

A travel ban is now in place. This new ban disallows most Victorians who have been in Whittlesea to travel to Queensland, South Australia, or Tasmania. Anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hot spot must get tested. Additionally, they must self-isolate for 14 days upon arriving in New South Wales, the ACT, Western Australia, or the Northern Territory.

Today, acting Premier James Merlino told a press conference the next 24 hours will be critical for the state.

Of whether further restrictions will be imposed on the state, Merlino said:

I cannot rule out taking some further action but we'll update people as soon as we know.

Merlino said 301 people have been identified as close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases. Of those, only 80 COVID-19 tests results have been returned at this point in time.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Webjet Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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