As one of the countries that performed better in the pandemic, with fewer than 30,000 cases reported and 910 deaths, Australia’s borders are still closed, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Rapid border closures and restrictions due to sporadic regional increases in cases have decreased the number so far.
“Australia is in no hurry to open those borders, I assure you,” Morrison said during a televised briefing, Reuters said.
“I will not jeopardize the way we live in this country, which is so different from the rest of the world.”
However, there is hope that visitors can trickle in by the end of 2021. On Friday, Morrison suggested the priority would be to get vaccinated Australians flying in and out of the country.
But he said even partial border opening was gone for some time and would not be considered until the vulnerable have been vaccinated. By relaxing restrictions, 1,000 cases could happen per week, he added.
Australia’s borders are closed, with nationals and returning permanent residents, their immediate family and exempt travelers are the only people allowed into the country.
A full travel bubble with New Zealand will begin on April 19, with the entire country being designated as a green zone. However, it is not indefinite – the bubble can be contained in regional outbreaks.