Some Asian neighbours are ‘much safer than we think’ and it’s time to get over our xenophobia, epidemiologists say

Australia’s international travel ban is based on politics and not science, according to health experts who say there are a number of countries Australia could safely resume travel with this year.

On Sunday the treasurer Josh Frydenberg told SBS News , with further detail expected when the budget is released on Tuesday. Meanwhile the prime minister Scott Morrison posted on Facebook that borders would only open “when it is safe to do so”, saying during media interviews over the weekend that Australians do not have an “appetite” for opening borders if it means further lockdowns and restrictions.