Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hinted his Government is working on creating new travel bubbles
Speaking to 2SM’s John Laws yesterday, Prime Minster Scott Morrison said the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine could result in more travel opportunities to Australians with conversations with other countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands "and so on” about creating a travel bubble similar to the arrangement it already has with New Zealand.
However, Morrison noted that if an outbreak was to occur in these countries whose health systems “aren’t the same as ours”, the impact would be “devastating”.
However, Morrison noted that if an outbreak was to occur in these countries whose health systems “aren’t the same as ours”, the impact would be “devastating”.
Health Minster Greg Hunt also hinted at a possible Pacific travel bubble "I won’t make a false guarantee, but we think that, during the course of the year, the opportunities will increase, as the pandemic likely subsides internationally,” telling ABC’s 7.30.
“We don’t have full confidence yet that they are just going to a complete what’s called a green lane. But we’re working with them to ensure we can just lift that confidence,” Mr Morrison said.
“We’ll be seeking to support them with their testing over there and I hope we can make some real progress on that soon. I’d love to see a Pacific bubble.”
“And as we see success in other countries, and increasing vaccination rates in Australia, the risk from overseas will be less, and the protections in Australia will be greater,” he said.
On Sunday, the Government revealed a “digital certificate” for Aussies who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, which could be crucial in reopening international borders. Australians will get a record when they receive a COVID-19 jab that will be stored and displayed on the Express Plus Medicare and MyGov apps.
The PM said the risk of Aussie travellers spreading COVID-19 to Pacific Island nations had decreased, thanks to Australia’s recent low rates of community transmission. The Government will likely look at forming travel bubbles with other countries in the South Pacific, before looking to other parts of the world.
“We don’t have full confidence yet that they are just going to a complete what’s called a green lane. But we’re working with them to ensure we can just lift that confidence,” Mr Morrison said.
“We’ll be seeking to support them with their testing over there and I hope we can make some real progress on that soon. I’d love to see a Pacific bubble.”
“And as we see success in other countries, and increasing vaccination rates in Australia, the risk from overseas will be less, and the protections in Australia will be greater,” he said.
On Sunday, the Government revealed a “digital certificate” for Aussies who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, which could be crucial in reopening international borders. Australians will get a record when they receive a COVID-19 jab that will be stored and displayed on the Express Plus Medicare and MyGov apps.
The PM said the risk of Aussie travellers spreading COVID-19 to Pacific Island nations had decreased, thanks to Australia’s recent low rates of community transmission. The Government will likely look at forming travel bubbles with other countries in the South Pacific, before looking to other parts of the world.