Australia’s borders could remain closed for international travel through December, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham warned this week. On March 20, in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the country closed its borders all foreigners who aren’t permanent residents and implemented strict guidelines for residents returning from abroad.
A prolonged travel ban could prove to be an obstacle for the International Swimming League. Ian Hanson reported last week that the league is considering the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in South East Queensland, home to the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, for its inaugural “Solidarity Swim Camp” in the fall. The league is set to hold a combined training and competition period for over 300 athletes for five weeks in October and November in lieu of its previously planned season. According to Australian National Team head coach Jacco Verhaeren, Queensland is a finalist alongside Bupdapest, Japan, and Florida.
“I wouldn’t put any guarantees that you could undertake that overseas trip in December,” he told ABC’s News Breakfast. “This is a time where, unfortunately, people can’t undertake holidays and they won’t be able to go overseas for quite some time to come.”
He suggested that Australians instead think about planning domestic trips, which could be possible relatively soon once state borders reopen.
“There may be a slightly earlier point in time where it becomes feasible to think about domestic travel again,” Birmingham said.’ “We’re not there yet but certainly this time is a good time for a bit of dreaming, a bit of planning.”
Currently, under federal regulations, any Australian returning from abroad has to spend 14 days in isolation at a hotel, under watch of the police and Australian Defence Force.
Australia has over 6,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date, with 63 deaths, according to the Department of Health – over half of patients have recovered. Approximately 1,000 of those cases were found in Queensland. The majority of cases have been acquired overseas, including over 25% coming from cruise ship passengers.