It is highly unlikely that the country will re-open its borders to international travellers until next year.
According to Australian Trade Minister, Simon Birmingham, Australia is likely to keep its borders closed till 2021 but will look to relaxing entry rules for long-term visitors or students, reports Malay Mail and Reuters.
“We can simply work through the 14-day quarantine periods that have worked so well in terms of returning Australians to this country safely,” said the Trade Minister while adding that the quarantine rule for citizens returning back to the country may also be extended to international students and visitors who intend on staying for long periods of time.
International students will provide the financial boost needed for universities who have been faced with big financial losses ever since Australia closed its border. International education is known to be Australia’s fourth-largest foreign exchange earner, raking in up to A$38 billion (RM111.7 billion) a year.
Nonetheless, the nation attributes its fairly successful battle against the spread of Covid-19 to their strict curbs on international travel and tough social-distancing rules. Australia has recorded more than 7,300 cases of Covid-19, with 102 deaths from the disease.
Seems like its a safe bet to postpone all international travels for now!
Also read: Travellers Entering Singapore MUST Be Tested For Covid-19 And Bear The Cost of RM614
