Australian borders likely to stay closed until next year

Australia’s Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham says the nation's border is likely to stay closed until next year.

Simon Birmingham said the decision to shut the border was one of the main reasons for Australia's success in suppressing COVID-19 and it would not be lifted for general travel any time soon.

Birmingham says tourist-related travel in or out of Australia, remains quite some distance off.

Asked whether that meant the border would not open until next year, he said, he thinks that is more likely the case.

The Australian Government is working on a couple of exceptions to Australia's border closure, including allowing travel between Australia and New Zealand.

Talks between the two countries are underway and an expert panel has submitted a report to both governments on how it might work.

There is still no time-frame on when it might happen though, with New Zealand's Foreign Minister warning the plans are being held up by state border closures in Australia.

[Source: ABC]