Western Australia’s domestic border restrictions are starting to “look like North Korea,” according to Qantas Airways’ CEO. In the meantime, Bali has reopened to visitors from all over the world. The most recent information is available at DW.
Nearly two years into the COVID-19 outbreak, Qantas chief Alan Joyce has compared Western Australia to North Korea over the state’s domestic border closures, arguing against measures that are proving costly for his company.
“The fact you can get to London, but not to Perth — we are supposed to all be Australian — but you can’t even travel in your own country,” the airline company’s head told radio program 3AW Breakfast. “And there isn’t a plan in Western Australia… It’s starting to look like North Korea.”
Qantas’ earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) on domestic flights within Australia were nearly three times higher than on international flights in 2019, the last year with practically fully unaffected air transport.
Western Australia was set to lift its travel restrictions on February 5, making it the final Australian state to do so. However, due to the development of the omicron strain of the virus, Premier Mark McGowan has put the reopening of the state border on hold indefinitely.
While the number of exemptions to enter the state was to be increased on Saturday, individuals who were allowed to enter would still have to self-quarantine for two weeks.
