Australia sticks by plan not to reopen int'l border until mid-2022

I have recently gained a lot of respect for Australia because of courageous anti virus measures and an even more courageous stand against China.

i support the decision to keep the borders tightly closed till mid 2022 but there is a lack in consistency when Australia does not pull out of the games and thus is partly to blame for overburdening the already exhausted medical reserves of a partner nation Japan.

And all this because one man, Mr Coates wants to push his personal Brisbane agenda

Makes sense. That's most likely around the time Suga and the boys may FINALLY start vaccinating people.

Triple thumbs up to Robert Maes

Australia is a continent/island/nation. Being so 'apart' from the rest from the world this is probably the best resort for them. Better safe than sorry.

-There aren't going to be any major sporting events until at least the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The Euros are pegged for June/July 2021. Probably with limited crowds. Vaccination rates in Europe are now quite high.

Most countries won't open until 2022, if then. It's not always a medical decision. It may be a political decision in a white coat. If you test negative and are Covid free, there is no reason for you to not cross a border. You cannot infect anyone.

-Every time I see these stories it makes me even more angry

The rich, politicians, celebrities and sports stars have been buzzing around the globe all through this, just like they did in the 1950s.

The rules only apply to the rest of us as colonial subjects of our governments.

Welcome to the oppressed majority, Starbucks. Take a (cheap) seat and enjoy the prolefeed. The prison gates may be locked for some time to come.

There aren't going to be any major sporting events until at least the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Does that mean they will not send their Olympic team to Japan?

I am betting it doesn't.

Oh how the privilege live.

Starbucks

I don't know where you get your information from but you need to apply to leave for any destination other than new Zealand.

Oh, I didn't know that. How restrictive. No such restrictions in New Zealand, but you do have to book a place to quarantine when you come back.

 I'm guessing that celebrities and sportspeople must be above these rules.

I'm guessing that they have the same rules, but being elites, they are more likely to get approval.

I disagree with mid-2022. It should be around October this year, especially if most Australians have been vaccinated.

Here is another reason, which I posted last night. The Australian Formula One Grand Prix is scheduled for November 21. The race before that is the Brazilian Grand Prix on November. How are they going to manage that with closed borders. Currently, anyone coming to Australia has to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks at their own expense. With the F1, that will be impossible. How many drivers, mechanics, support staff with be coming from Brazil. They can't stay in hotel for two weeks. They have to be fine-tuning their cars and practicing at the track.

There were a lot of complaints when the Australian Open tennis went ahead, allowing players and their support teams into the country. Letting F1 teams into the country while Australian citizen can't get back home will cause an even greater outcry.

The government needs to open its borders from October. The tourism industry is gutted and the universities are losing billions of dollars because foreign students can't get into the country.

Every time I see these stories it makes me even more angry especially when movie stars,athletes and politicians fly in and out on a whim. Sort of destroys the we're all in this together narrative.

@ 2020 hindsight

I don't know where you get your information from but you need to apply to leave for any destination other than new Zealand. You need a valid reason to leave. A story on ABC the other day said 70000 applications had been rejected. I'm guessing that celebrities and sportspeople must be above these rules.

@2020 hindsight

I could probably circumvent this rule by flying to New Zealand and sneaking out the back door on a flight out of there.

Starbucks

Every time I see these stories it makes me even more angry especially when movie stars,athletes and politicians fly in and out on a whim.

Any Australian citizen can fly in and out on a whim. They just need to quarantine for 2 weeks on return to Australia (unless they went to NZ, in that case no quarantine).