On Tuesday, October 5, Australia’s Prime Minister announced foreign tourists will not be allowed until 2022. Australia’s travel restrictions were said to be “one of the toughest and longest COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by a democracy” (AP news). Australia lagged behind in the vaccine rollout initially due to low circulation of the virus since they had such heavy travel restrictions early on. On Tuesday October 5, Australia reached their goal of 80% of the population receiving the first dose of the vaccine. With the 80% goal reached, Australia now focuses on allowing skilled migrants and students to return to the country, but there has been no specifics on when those groups will actually be allowed back in. The severe travel restrictions have hurt Australian universities who depend on international students. Many businesses are getting hit hard, and there are frustrations over how there are no details on how travel will start up again. Even though it might not be a priority now, many Australians want to know when tourism will be part of the plan. Additionally, about 30% of the population of Australia was born overseas so this has proposed an “emotional burden” on them. The delta variant has hit Australia hard, and they are now shutting down some of their biggest cities.Victoria state reported a record 1,763 new infections (AP News).
Back in May, Australia was seen as a Covid success story with lower infection rates due to their border policies. Back in March 2020, Australia closed its borders, only allowing Australian citizens, immediate family members, and permanent residents to travel to Australia. Once they arrive from another country, they are put in a 14 day isolation. Their border policies have caused a divide between Australia and other countries. Australia’s conservative government hasn’t particularly welcomed immigration in the past 8 years. Back in May, Australia announced that anyone coming to Australia from India could spend up to five years in prison- the first time Australians faced criminalization for returning to their country (BBC). They have faced racial accusations due to the inconsistency in travel bans between India and the U.S or European countries. They were more stirct with travel from India than somewhere like the UK. This was also a human rights concern as international laws state citizens shouldn't be abruptly banned from returning to their country.
US vs Australia
Australia's measures were among the strictest, but surprisingly polls report “75-80% approval ratings for keeping the door shut.” It is very doubtful that approval ratings that high would be seen in the U.S for such strict measures. I think that the attitudes over vaccination and travel restrictions in Australia versus the U.S tells a lot about the political differences in each country. 80% of the population received the first dose in Australia, and 57% of the population over 16 is fully vaccinated, compared with the U.S on October 5 with 65% receiving the first dose and 56% being fully vaccinated. Australia has a two party system like the U.S, however the vaccination rates show that the divide between political parties may be stronger in the U.S versus Australia. Australia lagged behind in vaccine rollout but reached 80% for the first dose, while the U.S is slowing down at 65%, and they have similar fully vaccinated percentages.
Works Cited
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-57224635
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