At least you can holiday somewhere! Australians will finally be able to go overseas in JULY with a travel bubble to be set up with one Asian country
- The plan would also use Singapore as a quarantine and vaccination hub
- Australians will be allowed to travel to Singapore without government approval
- Vaccinated Singaporeans would be able to travel to Australia without quarantine
- The plan would help bring home 40,000 Australians who are stranded overseas
Scott Morrison plans to set up a travel bubble with Singapore by July that would finally allow Australias to holiday overseas.
The prime minister’s ambitious plan would also use the Southeast Asian island state as a quarantine and vaccination hub for returning Australians.
Under the plan, Australians would be allowed to travel to Singapore without approval from the Department of Home Affairs, provided they have been vaccinated for coronavirus.
Singaporeans who have had the the jab would be able to travel to Australia without having to complete two weeks of hotel quarantine.
Under the plan, Australians would be allowed to travel to Singapore without approval from the Department of Home Affairs, provided they have been vaccinated for coronavirus
The prime minister’s ambitious plan would also use the Southeast Asian island state as a quarantine and vaccination hub for returning Australians
It may also be possible for people from other countries to enter Australia via Singapore after completing quarantine in the Southeast Asian city-state.
Trade Minister Dan Tehan has already held talks with his Singaporean counterpart Chan Chun Sing in relation to the plan.
‘Singapore are very keen to work with Australia on a proof of vaccination certificate and we agreed our officials should work together on this,’ Mr Tehan said.
‘I’m scheduled to travel to Singapore in the coming months and this will be a key topic of discussions as we seek to explore a travel bubble with Singapore.’
The plan would help bring home some 40,000 Australians who are currently stranded overseas.
Meanwhile, attempts at similar arrangements with New Zealand appear at a stalemate.
Eastern Australian states have allowed New Zealanders to travel freely to Australia since late last year but NZ is yet to reciprocate.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been frustrated with Australian states flicking the switch from open borders, or ‘green zone’, to closed, or ‘red zone’, on short notice in response to NZ outbreaks.
From that frustration, it appears the two countries are no longer attempting to work together on bubble arrangements.
New Zealand’s COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins says a goal of shared plans between the two countries has all but been abandoned.
However Mr Morrison says he would happily open Australia’s borders to Kiwis when Ms Ardern chooses to.
It may also be possible for people from other countries to enter Australia via Singapore after completing quarantine in the Southeast Asian city-state