Scott Morrison frustrated by speed of state border reopenings

The prime minister has expressed frustration at the slowness of states allowing cross-border travel, as overseas trips remain off the table till next year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says interstate borders should never have been closed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says interstate borders should never have been closed. Source: AAP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is itching to unlock interstate travel as new figures show border closures are costing nearly 5000 jobs a week and $84 million a day.

but warned other international travellers would not be visiting any time soon.
Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have still not announced when their border restrictions will be lifted.

Mr Morrison says they should never have been closed in the first place.

"That's why this is so frustrating," he told 2GB radio on Thursday.

The prime minister said Australia had done a world-class job in keeping outbreaks and infection rates low.

"Businesses should be able to open and employ people," Mr Morrison said.
Two universities in the ACT want to fly in 300 foreign students next month.

Mr Morrison supports the idea, but pointed out South Australia would not fully reopen until 20 July.

"You can't have people coming from Singapore if you haven't got people coming from Sydney," he said.

"And our universities need to be fully open to domestic students in the first instance before looking at this."
Everyone entering Australia is taken straight to a mandatory quarantine facility for 14 days.
Everyone entering Australia is taken straight to a mandatory quarantine facility for 14 days. Source: AAP
The prime minister said there was "a bit of a glass ceiling on the economy" when it came to restrictions around overseas travel, which will be delayed until next year.

"I can't honestly see international travel more generally, people coming from all over the world to Australia again, any time soon," Mr Morrison said.

Qantas has cancelled all international flights until late October except for services to New Zealand.

An anti-inflammatory drug successfully used to treat coronavirus infections in the United Kingdom is likely to be used in Australia.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Source: AAP
"It's not going to prevent you getting it, it's not going to cure it," Health Minister Greg Hunt told 2GB radio.

"But the early but high-quality evidence out of UK is that people who are very, very sick, it gives them a much better chance of survival."

The widely available drug, costing about $10 over the pharmacy counter in Australia, could be used to treat the three coronavirus patients in intensive care in Australia.

Two are on ventilators.
"We're very concerned for them," Mr Hunt said.

"We know we now have an option for the doctors in intensive care to consider. There are no barriers to them using it."

Victoria reported 18 new cases on Thursday morning.This followed 23 new cases across Australia on Wednesday, mostly in Victoria.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
 
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
 
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
 
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at .
 

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3 min read
Published 18 June 2020 11:25am
Updated 18 June 2020 11:31am



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