Australia: borders closed until the end of 2022?

Tourism could take a big hit. While Europe is accelerating vaccination and gradually deconfining, some countries, such as India, are experiencing a surge in cases which is pushing Australia to reflect: should we keep the borders closed until the end of 2022? This prospect is being considered by the Australian government. The surge in cases in India demonstrates the need to keep border restrictions to keep the virus spread low in Australia, Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said.

Since March 20, 2020, Australia has implemented drastic border controls. It is “very difficult to determine” when the borders will be able to reopen, Dan Tehan told Sky News. “The most optimistic estimate would be in the middle or second half of next year. ”

Before the pandemic, around one million travelers entered the country each month for short stays. This figure now stands at 7,000. Anyone arriving from abroad is subject to isolation for 14 days in a hotel.

Vaccination is progressing steadily

The recent opening of an air bubble with New Zealand has encountered difficulties. It has in particular been suspended between the cities affected by a resurgence in the number of cases linked to flaws in the quarantine systems.

Australia has recorded 29,886 cases of Covid-19 contamination since the start of the pandemic, a majority of which were detected in quarantine hotels. The start of vaccination is slow: only 2.5 million doses have been administered across the country, which has 25 million inhabitants, knowing that each person requires two doses. The prospect of border closures for nearly three years will deal a serious blow to Australia’s tourism industry, which accounts for 33 billion euros a year. “The hope would be that we can create a few more air bubbles, but we are in the midst of a pandemic,” he said. “It will mainly depend on how we are able to manage the global pandemic. “