Some Australians think that the borders should be kept closed to people from other countries, whereas others disagree. Although keeping the borders closed would be the safest approach, I believe that in some situations, opening the borders is the best option.
It is true that closing the borders is a reasonable choice. If Australia opens its borders completely, it is likely that the virus will enter the country and start spreading throughout the community. As has been shown around the world, this would result in the needless death of many people. In addition, if the virus spreads around the country, federal, state and local governments may have to introduce lockdowns to prevent further community transmission. These lockdowns do considerable damage to small businesses, people’s mental health and the economy generally.
However, I think that in some situations, the borders should remain open. Evidence from around the word is showing that vaccines are extremely effective at preventing not only serious illness, but also transmission of the virus. In other words, a vaccinated person is unlikely to spread the virus and should be let in. Furthermore, there are many countries that are not significantly affected by the virus, so it makes sense to open the borders to these countries in particular. For example, Australia has opened a ‘travel bubble’ with New Zealand that has so far proven safe.
In conclusion, while taking a zero-risk policy certainly has merit, I would argue that in some specific cases, it is appropriate to open the borders.
Some
Australians
think
that the
borders
should be
kept
closed to
people
from other
countries
, whereas others disagree. Although keeping the
borders
closed would be the safest approach, I believe that in
some
situations, opening the
borders
is the best option.
It is true that closing the
borders
is a reasonable choice. If Australia
opens
its
borders
completely, it is likely that the
virus
will enter the
country
and
start
spreading throughout the community. As has
been shown
around the world, this would result in the needless death of
many
people
.
In addition
, if the
virus
spreads around the
country
, federal, state and local
governments
may
have to
introduce lockdowns to
prevent
further
community transmission. These lockdowns do considerable damage to
small
businesses,
people
’s mental health and the economy
generally
.
However
, I
think
that in
some
situations, the
borders
should remain
open
. Evidence from around the word is showing that vaccines are
extremely
effective at preventing not
only
serious illness,
but
also
transmission of the
virus
.
In other words
, a vaccinated person is unlikely to spread the
virus
and should be
let
in.
Furthermore
, there are
many
countries
that are not
significantly
affected
by the
virus
,
so
it
makes
sense to
open
the
borders
to these
countries
in particular
.
For example
, Australia has opened a ‘travel bubble’ with New Zealand that has
so
far proven safe.
In conclusion
, while taking a zero-
risk
policy
certainly
has merit, I would argue that in
some
specific cases, it is appropriate to
open
the
borders
.