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Overseas travel this year ‘unlikely’, warns federal health boss

The head of Australia’s health department believes it is unlikely international borders will substantially reopen this year, even if most people are vaccinated against coronavirus.

Jan 18, 2021, updated Jan 18, 2021
Former Chief Medical Officer, now Health Secretary, Professor Brendan Murphy has ordered an audit into the intensive care capacity of our hospitals ahead of an expected explosion in Covid case loads. (Photo: ABC News: Luke Stephenson)

Former Chief Medical Officer, now Health Secretary, Professor Brendan Murphy has ordered an audit into the intensive care capacity of our hospitals ahead of an expected explosion in Covid case loads. (Photo: ABC News: Luke Stephenson)

Chief Medical Officer Professor  Brendan Murphy downplayed the prospect of a widespread easing of border restrictions, meaning dreams of international travel this year remain on hold.

“I think the answer is probably no,” Murphy told the ABC on Monday.

“Even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don’t know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus.”

Meanwhile, Australian authorities are chasing more details after Norway reported a small number of very frail people died after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said it may influence what advice the Therapeutic Goods Administration provides for Australia’s vaccine rollout.

Hunt said at this stage there was no change to Australia’s planned vaccine program, which is due to start next month.

The Government is planning to distribute the Pfizer vaccine as well as the locally produced AstraZeneca jab.

A survey of more than 1200 people by market researcher Roy Morgan has found more than three quarters of Australians are keen to be vaccinated.

Western Sydney residents are being urged to get tested after NSW reported six new cases of coronavirus.

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And preparations for the Australian Open tennis tournament have been thrown into disarray after five more players tested positive for coronavirus.

More than 70 players have been forced into hard lockdown in hotel quarantine, meaning they will not be able to train for two weeks.

The influx of international sports stars has also shone a light on the thousands of Australians still stranded overseas and unable to come home.

The Federal Government has secured 20 additional charter flights to bring more Australians home before March.

But the Government is facing calls to ramp up its efforts, with the global pandemic quickly becoming much worse across Europe and the United States.

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