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Australia Plans to Restart International Travel With COVID-19 Bubble with
Singapore

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - Australia is working on an ambitious plan to establish
   Singapore as a COVID-19 quarantine gateway and potential vaccination
   hub for returning Australians, international students and
   businesstravelers.

   The deal with Singapore could allow passengers en route to Australia to
   satisfy strict biosecurity rules before arrival.

   Ministers hope the proposal with the south-east Asian city would help
   about 40,000 Australians stranded overseas return home, boost tourism
   and revive the multibillion-dollar market for international students at
   Australian universities, which has been badly hit by border closures.

   It is a year sinceCanberra,Australia's capital,barred most
   foreigntravelersin an attempt tocurb the spread ofCOVID-19.The ban has
   recently been extended until at least June.

   Australiandeputy prime minister Michael McCormack says the government
   is preparing to restart international travel.

   "We are also making sure that the planes are going to be ready.You
   cannot just roll a plane out of a hangar and stick it back on an
   international route.We are working with Singaporeat the
   momentpotentially for a bubble in July, and these are positive
   signs.And as the vaccine rolls out in not only Australia but in other
   countries as well, we will reopen more bubbles,"McCormack said.

   Under the plan, Australians would be allowed to fly to Singapore
   without government approval provided they have been vaccinatedagainst
   COVID-19.

   Also, Singaporeans who have been inoculated would be permitted to
   travel to Australia without having to undergo two weeks of hotel
   quarantine.

   Australia has giventravelersfrom New Zealand similar concessions, but
   authorities in Wellington have yet to reciprocate to allow entry to
   Australians.

   Australian citizenscanreturn home from overseas, but they face
   mandatory quarantine.Thousands of people have been left stranded
   because of limitedcapacityin secure hotels.

   Australia has recorded just over 29,000 COVID-19 cases since the
   pandemic began.909 people have died, according to the Health
   Department.

   There have been four key parts to the nation's coronavirus strategy;
   restrictions on international travel, strict lockdowns, sophisticated
   contact tracing and mass testing.

   A nationwide vaccination program began last month.

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