Australia to Halve Incoming Travelers Amid Delta Variant Spread

As Hotel Quarantine Loopholes Emerge, Weekly Arrivals Drop from 6,000 to 3,000

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Australia has decided to halve the number of overseas arrivals to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

According to AP News and others on the 2nd (local time), the Australian government made this decision as gaps appeared in the hotel quarantine system for arrivals and Delta variant infections occurred.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that starting no later than the 14th, only 3,000 travelers will be accepted weekly. Currently, Australia accommodates 6,000 arrivals per week.

Major Australian cities such as Sydney have recently implemented control measures due to the spread of the Delta variant.

Sydney entered a two-week lockdown starting from the 27th of last month, and residents are generally prohibited from going out except for four essential purposes: purchasing necessities, exercise, medical or compassionate care, work, or education.

Australia has been praised for its successful quarantine efforts through rapid border closures and strong social distancing measures following the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the COVID-19 statistics site Worldometer, Australia reported 33 new confirmed cases yesterday. The cumulative confirmed cases are 30,684, and the cumulative deaths are 910.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.