One year after the corona epidemic, Australia is back to normal. But residents pay a price.
Most restaurants in Australia are reopened, almost no mask required, and there are parties again. According to experts, the reasons for this are closed national borders, severe communication derailment and the discipline of Australians.
SRF Australia reporter Urswald lives near the capital Canberra. He knows: “Closed boundaries are a great frustration for many.” In principle, you cannot enter or leave the country. Exceptions are rarely possible. “In addition, parts of the states are isolated at short notice when new corona cases occur. Fortunately, these are becoming rare. “
8,000 francs for an air ticket
About 40,000 foreign citizens are waiting to return to Australia. This is not going well with the victims and their relatives. Some questioned whether the government could be prosecuted, and Walterlin said: “It’s really unbelievable how little effort Prime Minister Scott Morrison is making to bring these people home.”
You must purchase one of these fully priced tickets. Or just be where you are.
There is no withdrawal campaign like the one Switzerland organized last year: “People are on their own.” You have no choice, says Walterlin: “You have to buy one of the absolutely more expensive tickets for one of the few flights that actually happens.” These can cost up to 8,000 francs. «Or stay where you are. For many, this is not financially feasible. “
2500 francs for an isolated hotel
However, the Australians did not rebel against the government’s guidelines. “You believe in power here and you do more or less what the government tells you,” Walterlin said.
In addition, Australia already has 200 years of isolated experience. “Even then, newcomers had to be isolated before they could be evicted from the population.” But today it was a bit expensive: “First come, first served 2500 francs a week in a dark isolated hotel in one room.”
The government wants to vaccinate people and reopen the border by October. But the vaccination campaign was delayed. People in the country may have to wait for their injection until the beginning of next year. The reporter fears that the number of cases will rise again. Because people have to work. Due to some support from the government, many were able to stay away from work by working from home. But it stops now. “
Foreigners living here can pick up their outfit to celebrate Christmas in their old homeland.
However, Walterlin believes the consequences are serious. “Until the majority of people are vaccinated, the borders will definitely be closed.” Nine million tourists to Australia will be away for another year. “Anyway, I will not be booking a holiday in Australia for now. Foreigners living here can remove the decoration that can celebrate Christmas in their old homeland. “
“Friend of animals everywhere. Web guru. Organizer. Food geek. Amateur tv fanatic. Coffee trailblazer. Alcohol junkie.”
More Stories
Football in Great Britain – Clubs against cancellation of FA Cup replay – Sport
The US State Department cuts arms licenses to Great Britain and Australia to promote AUKUS
Great Britain – First public appearance of Charles III. After a cancer diagnosis