Australia has announced that it will delay its international reopening plans for another two weeks due to the detection of the omicron variant in several cases of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).
In contrast, New Zealand is going forward with its reopening plans – the new variant notwithstanding.
Australia has been pushing medical tyranny with multiple lockdowns and making any dissent to government edicts illegal. Many consider this as a turn to authoritarianism, an unpleasant surprise from a conservative government.
With the new variant coming, the government once again has a scapegoat to continue its medical tyranny in the country.
"The temporary pause will ensure Australia can gather the information we need to better understand the omicron variant, including the efficacy of the vaccine, the range of illness, including if it may generate more mild symptoms, and the level of transmission," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a statement. (Related: Australia's murder regime government bans ivermectin prescriptions for covid in order to maximize covid casualties.)
Initially, the plan was for Australia to open up to international travel beginning December 1 after nearly 600 days of closed borders during which time, even citizens living abroad were not allowed to return to visit friends and family.
The opening would have marked the first time any regular international traveler could have visited without facing a mandatory quarantine period.
However, the date was delayed by the discovery of five cases of the omicron variant – four in New South Wales and one in the Northern Territory. This delay prompted some in the business community to express their dismay at the uncertainty that this entailed for economic activity.
Jennifer Westacott, CEO of the Business Council of Australia, said: "The worst thing we can do is stall the economic momentum, particularly for small businesses."
The resumption of taking in international students in Australia's universities alone could bring in around 35 billion AUD ($25 billion), or nearly two percent of the country's 2 trillion AUD ($1.43 trillion) economy.
Omicron variant detected in several other countries
Outside Australia, the omicron variant has been detected in Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel and the United Kingdom. Official detection in the United States remains in question.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said that Australia is better prepared than other countries in fighting the new variant, thanks to the recent success of its vaccination program.
"We are vastly, vastly better prepared than the overwhelming majority of the world, and I say that with great respect to the immense work that’s been done globally." he said during a briefing.
Two of the cases of the omicron variant in Australia were from fully vaccinated young people from South Africa who were asymptomatic of the disease, leading the country to introduce the new measures aimed at cutting its spread, including suspending direct flights from nine countries.
Hunt insists that Australia is in a good position because it is one of the most recently vaccinated countries, with a "well-prepared" hospital system.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also sought to quell citizen concerns, saying that 86.7 percent of residents over the age of 16 were fully vaccinated and those who weren't should do so.
The Australian government has now asked its immunization body to review the timeframes for booster shots in light of the new variant. Supplies of the vaccines are ready if any changes are recommended.
The National Security Committee will also meet to review evidence and consider actions regarding the omicron variant and a National Cabinet meeting will also be held after.
Read more news related to the omicron variant at Pandemic.news.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.