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Australia’s Borders Will Remain Shut Until At Least Mid-2022

Australia’s Borders Will Remain Shut Until At Least Mid-2022

Just when you thought an overseas trip was on the horizon, the budget has revealed the government's border plans.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Despite rumours circulating that we could be jet setting to select locations later this year it seems like Australian officials have other plans.

The 2021 Budget has revealed our international borders will likely stay closed to everywhere but New Zealand until mid-next year.

The budget papers said: "Inbound and outbound international travel is expected to remain low through to mid-2022, after which gradual recovery in international tourism is assumed to occur."

News Corp suggests Scott Morrison is looking to keep the borders shut until after a potential federal election in the hope a tough foreign policy wins over voters.

The Prime Minister insisted last week that Australia wasn't pursuing a zero Covid-19 cases goal, however the mid-2022 open date poses questions.

PA

The country's leader is aiming to have largely all of Australia vaccinated by the end of this year. So why would borders need to stay closed for six months after everyone has received their jab?

The government could be cautious about letting people from other countries in, rather than letting Aussies go wild and free.

But Mr Morrison warned the country's roadmap to more international flights is dependant on the states and territories.

The PM suggested it's the caps on international arrivals and quarantine numbers that is hampering efforts to open up faster.

"The rate of international arrivals will continue to be constrained by state and territory quarantine caps over 2021 and the first half of 2022, with the exception of travellers from Safe Travel Zones," the budget said.

Safe Travel Zones are countries that Australia has a quarantine-free travel arrangement, with New Zealand being the only one so far.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg admitted the mid-2022 goal is a conservative estimate and if things change internationally then their forecast could be updated.

"With respect to international borders, it's quite a conservative, cautious assumption that international borders will gradually reopen from the middle of next year," he said.

He added that Australia's strict border policy is one of the reasons why the country had a comparatively low rate of coronavirus infections.

"Early and decisive actions saved lives and livelihoods. We closed our borders. Australia's fate could have been so much worse," Mr Frydenberg said.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia