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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday (Nov 14) called on Australia and New Zealand to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to ease border restrictions, saying this will facilitate the resumption of economic activity. like COVID-19. the pandemic stabilizes.
Mr. Lee spoke at separate virtual summits in which ASEAN and the two countries participated.
“Reopening our borders in a safe and calibrated manner will facilitate the resumption of economic activity and is an important marker of confidence for our peoples and businesses,” said Mr. Lee at the second ASEAN-Australia Biennial Summit.
He noted that Singapore has lifted border restrictions to allow visitors from Australia, adding that he hopes Australia will also ease its own border restrictions “in due course.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended the 2nd ASEAN-Australia Biennial Summit on November 14, 2020 (Photo: MCI).
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In a similar message during the ASEAN-New Zealand Leaders Summit, Mr. Lee said that the two sides should progressively and safely lift the current travel restrictions.
“This is a critical enabler of our economic recovery and will signal to the rest of the world that ASEAN and its partners are open for business,” he said.
Singapore lifted border restrictions for visitors from New Zealand because it has done “a commendable job” in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
“(Singapore) expects New Zealand to similarly lift its cross-border travel restrictions as soon as it is ready to do so,” said Mr Lee.
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Singapore has unilaterally opened its borders to travelers from Vietnam, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia.
Unlike fast lane or green arrangements, this includes all forms of short-term travel, even for pleasure.
However, in the case of Australia and New Zealand, their governments have not lifted border restrictions and have warned their residents not to travel abroad. Those who need to travel must apply for an exemption.
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During the summits, Mr. Lee also highlighted that Singapore, Australia and New Zealand share the same views on “vaccine multilateralism” and are Friends of the COVAX Center.
“We must complement that with cooperation in vaccine research and development, and increasing our vaccine manufacturing capabilities to support regional demand,” he said at the summit involving New Zealand.
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On trade and economic recovery, Mr. Lee welcomed the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that is scheduled for Sunday.
Australia and New Zealand are part of the RCEP agreement, along with the 10 ASEAN members China, Japan and South Korea.
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