[ad_1]
MELBOURNE: Australia’s success in controlling COVID-19 as infections rise in many parts of the world is making the country a “victim of our own success” as Australians abroad want to go home, said a minister from the cabinet on Sunday (November 15). ).
Australia closed its borders in March to all but citizens and residents, and the government has kept entries limited and put those allowed into the country in a mandatory two-week quarantine.
Over the weekend, Australia saw its first week with no locally acquired coronavirus infections and no related deaths since the start of the pandemic. Victoria, the pandemic’s hot spot, recorded its 16th consecutive day on Sunday with no new cases or deaths.
“With what is happening with COVID-19 in other parts of the world, we are almost becoming victims of our own success here in Australia, with more people wanting to return,” Education Minister Dan Tehan told Sunday. Sky News television.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that with a growing number of Australians wishing to return, there are not enough quarantine facilities for others, such as thousands of international students.
“Within existing limits, returning Australians should be prioritized,” Tehan said on Sunday.
However, he said states and territories have been asked to come up with plans for the safe return of international students. With foreign students contributing AU 35 billion (US $ 25 billion) a year to the Australian economy, Canberra hoped to gradually allow their return in 2021.
Australia has recorded around 27,700 new coronavirus infections and 907 deaths from COVID-19, a fraction of what many other developed nations have seen, thanks to an impressive early response and strict measures that included shipping to Melbourne, the second-largest city. of the country, to block of months.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
