ScoMo “in no hurry” to reopen Australia’s international borders

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is in no rush to allow Aussies to travel internationally beyond New Zealand, with the reopening of borders to be managed “very, very carefully”.

Speaking at a press conference in South Australia yesterday, ScoMo dented hopes of more international travel bubbles being announced soon following today’s commencement of two-way, quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand.

“Australia is in no hurry to open those borders, can I assure you,” the PM said.

“The issues of borders and how they’re managed will be done very, very carefully. And must be done in partnership with the states and territories.

“In terms of how the quarantine program works, public health orders control what is done with quarantine of returning Australians and residents, and so we will do that in partnership with them.

“We can take small steps, I think. [We’re] not ready to take those steps now for Australians to be able to travel and return without hotel quarantine. We’re not in that position yet.

“We’re simply doing the planning work, understanding what the health risks are, understanding how that can be successfully done and in a few months from now, well we’ll see where we’re at. But we’re going to proceed very, very cautiously on those borders.”

ScoMo’s comments come after Health Minister Greg Hunt warned Australia’s international borders could remain closed even once the entire country has been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Featured image source: ABC News