Coronavirus: Australia may open borders to Asia, parts of China, as cases dwindle

Canberra’s consideration to ease travel curbs and revive tourism comes as the country has recorded three days without any local Covid-19 cases

PM Scott Morrison ruled out entry from the US or Europe, but said people from low-risk places such as Japan, Singapore and some Chinese provinces may be allowed

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Australia in March shut its borders to all non-citizens and permanent residents. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:58pm, 10 Nov 2020Updated: 5:46pm, 10 Nov 2020

Australia is considering opening its borders to Asian countries, including parts of China, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday, as Canberra seeks to revive an economy ravaged by Covid-19.

Australia in March shut its borders to all non-citizens and permanent residents, though in October Canberra allowed New Zealand residents to enter. While internal travel is also limited, those restrictions are scheduled to be removed by the end of the year.

Morrison ruled out entry from the United States or Europe, but said Australia may allow people from low-risk places such as Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and even provinces in China.

Reviving tourism would be a much-needed boost to Australia’s economy. Photo: Reuters

“We … are looking at what alternative arrangements could be hard to channel visitors through appropriate quarantine arrangements for low-risk countries,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra.

China was one of the first countries from which Australia restricted entry.