Coronavirus: International travel 'not foreseeable' until vaccine is available
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed there will likely be no overseas travel out of Australia until a coronavirus vaccine is available.
“Right now, travel beyond our borders is not foreseeable,” he told Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair on Thursday night, saying without a vaccine international travel is “very challenging”.
"Australians can focus on that, if there is no vaccine, then your head is to the floor, then you can't see opportunities ahead," he said.
"I need Australians looking up, forward… they will be encouraging each other. They will be opening their businesses. They will be do whatever they can to keep people in jobs.
"Whether there will be a vaccine, and I hope there will be, then we will deal with whatever circumstance confronts us because that's what Australians do."
Australia and New Zealand were in talks of a trans-Tasman travel bubble, but Victoria’s recent rise in coronavirus cases has delayed the agreement.
Morrison said he still remains optimistic the neighbouring countries will be allowed to resume travel “by the end of the year”.
“The Prime Minister and I were talking about that last week. She remains as committed to that as I do. We are progressing that,” he said.
“There are many Pacific nations equally that could be a part of that. I had a discussion with the Japanese Prime Minister who is keen to see more safe travel. We can adjust, and we will adjust.”
Until a vaccine is available, the PM is advising Australians to “keep washing your hands, keep social distancing and keep helping people”.
Daily cases exceed 400 again, as five more die
Victoria’s daily coronavirus cases once again surpassed 400 as the state confirmed a further five deaths from the virus.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced 403 new cases on Thursday morning.
The total is the third time daily cases have been above the 400-mark in just one week.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
