Australia is “working with Singapore” to create a travel bubble between the two nations as early as July, officials said Sunday, in an effort to restart tourism and travel put on hold by COVID-19.

Early in the pandemic Australia effectively closed its international border to slow the spread of the coronavirus, with non-citizens banned from visiting except in special circumstances.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Australia was “working with Singapore at the moment potentially for a bubble (beginning) in July”.

“As the vaccine rolls out, not only in Australia but in other countries, we will reopen more bubbles,” he told public broadcaster ABC.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the deal would allow Singaporeans and Australians who had been vaccinated to travel between the countries without quarantining.

The newspaper said Canberra is also hoping that people from third countries — such as international students, business travellers and returning citizens — could complete two weeks’ quarantine in Singapore before flying to Australia.

But Singapore, which has already opened its border to a handful of countries that have controlled the virus, including Australia, said it was “not in discussion on the concept of a quarantine centre or vaccination hub”.

“Singapore is currently in discussions with Australia on the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel with priority for students and business travellers,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Sunday.

“We are also discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble which will allow residents of Singapore and Australia to travel between both countries without the need for quarantine.”

Australia’s 14-day hotel quarantine requirement for arrivals has left tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas, with caps on returnees introduced as the limited system has been unable to cope with large numbers.

International tourism — worth about Aus$45 billion (US$35 billion) a year to the country’s economy before the pandemic hit — has evaporated.

Australia already has a one-way “travel bubble” with New Zealand, allowing Kiwis to visit without quarantining, though the scheme has been suspended a number of times in response to virus outbreaks.

— AFP

Subscribe
Notify of
3 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

军方公布初步调查 网民:为何冯伟衷被夹伤?安全程序是否到位?

三军总长王赐吉中将率领陆军总长吴仕豪少将等人,于昨午召开新闻发布会,向公众交代初步调查结果。吴仕豪指出,冯伟衷当时和另一军备技术员,准备维修自走炮,维修时需先降炮管从高位降下到待机位置。 炮管降下时,位于炮塔内的炮管后端,会往后延伸。相信当时冯伟衷是被往后延伸的炮尾压伤。 然而, 新闻发布会上,军方领导并未解释,为何炮管下降时,只有冯伟衷身在炮塔内。至于另一技术员和炮塔指挥官,为何没发现冯伟衷位在炮尾后端。 吴仕豪表示目前公布的是冯伟衷所属营单位,在新西兰做的初步调查,事故原因仍待独立调查委员会,调查后才能下定论。 至于王赐吉中将表示,目前陆军部队已暂停所有国内外军训,包括野外训练和实弹演习,并把更多时间放在检讨军训中的安全步骤。 同时,武装部队也将全面降低军训密集度,把更多精力放到军训安全上。王赐吉说“现有军训是否太快、强度太大、活动太多?可能需删除一些活动,用更多时间调整更适中的军训水平。” 王赐吉:“武装部队整体安全体系仍健全” 有现场记者问及,冯伟衷发生事故,也意味着军中在一年半内已发生了五起事故。对此军方是否仍有忽略掉的安全问题。对此王赐吉仍坚称整体武装部队安全体系仍健全,并表示军方“绝不推卸责任”,会从每次事故汲取教训,实施更严格的安全措施。 他也表示“有责任确保服役人员训练后都能安全回家”。 网民关注为何事故发生? 媒体报导王赐吉等军方领袖的宣布后,许多网民也在各大媒体脸书留言,群众更为关注的是,事故为何发生?为何冯伟衷仍在炮塔内的情况下,是谁下令降下炮管?安全程序是否做足?…

MARUAH forum: What will the new Public Order Bill bring to Little India?

By Terry Xu Will the new Public Order (Amendment) Bill to be…

Rape threat against Amos Yee – police report lodged

A police report has been lodged against Nigel Kee, the man who…