As Australia records yet another day with no community transmission of COVID-19, the likelihood of creating new ‘travel bubbles’ with other low-risk countries is increasing.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that one of our first travel bubble arrangements may be with some Chinese provinces.
As China is widely believed to have been the ‘ground zero’ of the virus, and are now restricting Aussie imports as Australia backs an inquiry into the virus origins, it is certainly an unexpected partnership.
The PM told reporters on Tuesday that there has been ‘ongoing discussions’ with countries including Japan, Korea and New Zealand, while other “low risk” areas, particularly in North Asia, were also being considered.
He did emphasise that Australia would ‘proceed cautiously’ with the re-opening of its closely guarded borders.
The international border ban has been in place since March. He told the press:
“There are countries that are doing obviously far better than what we are seeing in Europe and the United States. The situation in Europe and the United States is awful. And obviously, that presents great risks for people coming from those parts of the world to Australia.”
“We continue to hold these discussions with countries like Japan, we have had them before with Korea, Pacific nations, New Zealand has already been opened for travel into Australia without quarantine arrangements,” he said.
“Out of many parts of Asia, particularly in North Asia, places like Taiwan and I would also say provinces of China, Singapore, we are looking at what alternative arrangements could be had to channel visitors through appropriate quarantine arrangements for low-risk countries.”
“That is a process that other countries are doing as well. We are open to that but we have not come to a point of decision on that.”
Mr Morrison confirmed that the National Cabinet would be discussing the international border bans on Friday; however, he went further to say it is unlikely any decisions will be made, but more a ‘further assessment of where things are at’.
China have made headlines over the last few months, with images of huge, maskless crowds partying at water parks and swarming popular tourist sites. It seems that China have made a significant recovery from earlier in the year, with reports also showing a very strong economy bounce back.
China have shown a strong bounce back, with tourism almost at pre-COVID levels.
Chinese tourists have indicated that Australia is at the top of many of their travel lists, once borders are re-opened.
October saw Australia welcome international visitors for the first time since March, as NSW and the NT opened their borders to visitors from New Zealand with no need to undergo quarantine on arrival.
Unfortunately for Aussies, any visitors to NZ are still required to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival.
Australia has recorded three consecutive days with no community transmission, though many state border restrictions remain in place against residents of Victoria and greater Sydney.
Jenna Rank
Jenna has visited over 50 countries across the world, and hopes to visit 100 by 2025
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