Yes, the ineffective ban is still in place. About 170 have joined under it. If I was you I would apply and accept an interview as ground courses are full until June next year, so it will be a long time before you are offered a start date and would have to decide about the ban...worry about getting an offer of employment at this stage....think about the ban when the time comes.
A few things to consider:
1. The ban was put in place by the AOA committee (ie the 49ers) NOT the members - there was never a debate or vote
2. Internal promotions in CX are occuring at about the same rate new joiners are joining - no one (including AOA members) has turned down a promotion
3. By the time you are offered a start date assuming you were interviewed today there will be about 280 other 'banbreakers'
4. Today 56% of CX pilots are AOA members. With the ban on new joiners from joining the AOA, retirements and pilots leaving the AOA I hate to think what the % of CX pilots will be in the AOA when you do join
Again: Worry about getting and passing an interview...don't worry about the ban. By the time your start date comes around the full membership of the AOA will be able hold meetings in the helper's quarters of a small HKG apartment