Mrs. Harvey questions the Premier about border closures due to Coronavirus, suggesting international border closure instead of self-isolation. The Premier responds that it will be discussed with the Prime Minister and other Premiers, highlighting concerns and the need for careful consideration.

AnsweredQoN 153Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 March 2020
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
INTERSTATE TRAVEL
153. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I
have a supplementary question. It sounds like the Premier has a comprehensive
argument against agreeing to those isolation
restrictions. Will he argue for the closure of international borders rather
than just the current 14-day self- isolation requirement, which is not
fail proof and requires substantial policing effort?

AnswerView source ↗

That will also be a subject matter
of today's meeting with the Prime Minister and other Premiers.
Obviously, I am very concerned about all
those Australians in particular who intend to go to Bali or the United States
and then come home in a couple of weeks' time. I think all those
people have been advised not to do it. They have been advised that there will
be self-isolation requirements. I think the time has come for the national
government of Australia to look at closing the border for people going overseas
on holidays or, indeed, to international visitors on holidays coming into
Australia.
Clearly, we also need to take
account of the fact that essential forms of travel should not be disrupted and
we may need to obtain products via air
transport or products we need to send by sea transport. These things need to be
carefully considered. I urge everyone not to engage in knee jerk
reactions or knee jerk responses to these matters because the implications for
the state and its economy. The health of our citizens can be dire if the wrong
decision is made.

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