Taiwan-Australia 'travel bubble' possible: Australian envoy
ROC Central News Agency
11/11/2020 08:58 PM
Taipei, Nov. 11 (CNA) Taiwan is one of the nations with which Australia is considering setting up a "travel bubble," Australian representative to Taipei Gary Cowan said Wednesday, reaffirming his government's plan to open the national borders to countries in Asia that are deemed as low risk for COVID-19.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday he was considering easing border controls to allow the entry of travelers from low-risk Asian territories such as Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and some Chinese provinces.
When asked about the plan, Cowan told reporters in Taipei on Wednesday that New Zealand and other Pacific countries will be the first on the list, if Australia decides to open its borders, as the pandemic eases.
Given Taiwan's success in containing COVID-19, it will also be considered for the establishment of a "travel bubble" with Australia, said Cowan, who heads the Australian Office in Taipei.
At the moment, however, travel remains restricted even between states and territories in Australia, he said.
The domestic travel restrictions are likely to be lifted by the end of the year, thanks to Australia's measures to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19, Cowan said, noting that the country has not recorded a domestic case for three consecutive days.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia closed its national borders in March to all travelers, except its citizens and permanent residents.
(By Chen Yun-yu and Elizabeth Hsu)
Enditem/pc
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
