Who would have thought six months ago that the words “travel bubble” would have been used so prolifically, yet alone anyone even thinking of it? Yet here we are talking about it, hoping that these bubbles will open up between states and glory be internationally.
Western Australia has lived within its own bubble since almost the beginning of the Covid19 living regime. Early on in this timeline the state was split into regions with travel restricted to within each region only, unless an exemption was given. And exemptions weren’t given out easily as the government was determined to contain the virus. Eventually those travel restrictions were lifted except for some remote communities and people were free to move around the state.
But restrictions still apply for people trying to enter the state and an exemption must be granted. If, however you have been in Victoria you must have a more valid reason than just wanting to visit.
The travel restrictions in WA have had a significant affect on FIFO operations and workers. Companies have started to employ people only living in WA and some have encouraged their interstate FIFO workforce to consider relocating to WA to avoid quarantining when returning home. Decisions like this cannot be taken lightly and peoples’ livelihoods are being affected the longer it goes on. Some people will be suffering economic losses for years to come – let alone the mental anguish that comes with it.
Conversely, those workers who travel from WA to other states for FIFO work are spending most of their time back home in self isolation, which for most of them means having no social interaction until the restrictions are lifted. Some people have likened it to house arrest, and it is likely to stay in place until mid-next year if the premier sticks to his guns.
Not mining related, but WA people are now exploring more of their own state rather than taking cheap international holidays or flitting over east for a Gold Coast fix or to watch their favourite football team.
It is this writer’s opinion that some borders should be opened up without the onerous restrictions that are still in place even when coming from the Northern Territory or South Australia. Their Covid19 transmission rate is the same as WAs, which makes them ideal jurisdictions to have free travel with. All their recent cases have been from returning overseas travelers, the same reason for all the cases currently in WA.
Speaking of overseas, there is now talk from the federal government to looking at travel bubbles between some international locations. New Zealand is an obvious location to allow this to happen and obviously places the likes of Brazil, USA and England would not be contemplated at the moment. Other places that are up for consideration are Singapore, South Korea and Japan who all seem to have their Covid19 response well in hand.
But what the federal government wants and what the state and territory leaders allow could be two different things. A staged process of opening up Australia to other nations needs to be considered now, otherwise restrictions good last for years if a vaccine is not found.
More businesses will flounder the longer restrictions are kept in place, whether that be interstate or international travel. NSW, ACT and NT are opening their borders to New Zealand as of today, which is a positive step for those jurisdictions.
Australia is the lucky country, there is no mistaking that, but let’s not turn it into a basket case – let’s look for innovative ways we can open the borders.