Health advice crucial amid pressure to reopen borders

Amid growing calls for international borders to be reopened, almost three-quarters of Australians believe they should remain shut until mid-next year or until the coronavirus pandemic is under control around the world. That view emerged loud and clear, among Australians of all ages, across the political spectrum, in the latest Newspoll published on Monday. The Australian’s view, like that of the Morrison government, is that it is vital to follow medical advice. Health authorities have served the nation well during the crisis. Acting in advance of most of the world in closing the border to China and then to other nations, and establishing quarantine requirements, saved Australian lives and incalculable numbers of infections. Decisions about reopening borders should not be made on the basis of popular sentiment and politics. The nation’s best interests will be served by following the advice of the government’s health advisers.

Many Australians have had enough of restrictions, especially those of us (about 30 per cent) born overseas and the families of 310,000 Australians living abroad, who are longing to see loved ones. But in current circumstances, with 700,000 new infections a day around the world and more than 13,000 deaths, this is not the time to let down our guard. Nor would it make sense, as Scott Morrison said on Sunday, to put people who have tested COVID-positive on planes to Australia, risking other passengers and crew. The Prime Minister was referring to the half-empty Qantas repatriation flight from India that landed in Darwin on Saturday.

Influential voices are arguing for the government to consider opening up earlier. Peter Harris, head of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, which backed the government’s COVID response, said public health leaders needed to prepare the public for the reality that global eradication was “highly improbable” and provide advice on how to safely live with the virus. The commonwealth and most states support a containment strategy. On Thursday, Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox put the business perspective to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra. Much of what has sustained Australia’s success, especially migration and trade, has been undercut by the pandemic, he argued. “The unspoken reality is that we may win the health battle but lose the economic war if we keep our borders virtually hermetically sealed for another 12 months or more,’’ Mr Willox said. The UK was on the verge of a full reopening and Europe, the US and Canada were heading that way: “Talent, opportunities and investment will go there and to other open markets. They will not come here to buy at a closed shop.’’

Liberal backbenchers Dave Sharma (Wentworth), Tim Wilson (Goldstein) and Jason Falinski (Mackellar) want borders reopened faster than planned and vaccinated people given greater freedom to travel. That is one perspective. On the other hand, a serious outbreak, especially of a virulent strain, before most Australians are vaccinated would set the economy back badly. After a slow start, the vaccine rollout is picking up, with 3 million doses given. The Australian has repeatedly pointed to the need for larger, purpose-built quarantine facilities, in addition to Howard Springs. They will be essential when the government reopens borders and to accommodate international students. The students are the government’s next priority, Mr Morrison says. He welcomed universities working with the states to prepare support facilities. That is good news for universities, in which international enrolments are down 38 per cent this year, and for local economies. The need for skilled immigrants also needs to be addressed. The budget anticipates borders remaining shut until mid-next year. But it is time to plan ahead for opening up safely, on the basis of health advice.