Australia is likely to remain closed to international travellers until 2021, Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said on Jun. 17, 2020.

However, the restrictions put on the country's borders may loosen for students and long-term visitors.

No to tourists, but restrictions could be eased for those staying long-term

A 14-day quarantine rule for returning citizens could be applied to international students and other long-term visitors, said the trade minister, according to Reuters.

"We can simply work through the 14-day quarantine periods that have worked so well in terms of returning Australians to this country safely," Birmingham said.

Australia has had more than 7,300 cases of Covid-19, with 102 virus-related deaths.

However, the country has been largely successful in containing the pandemic.

International students contribute significantly to Australia's economy, earning the country roughly A$38 billion (S$36.54 billion) per year.

Travel bubble between Australia & New Zealand in the works

Plans for a travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand have been in the works, and was hinted to be in place by September 2020, The Guardian reported.

However, the travel bubble plan may have been disrupted after two new cases were imported into New Zealand, breaking the country's 24-day zero infection streak.

The two women had travelled to Auckland from the United Kingdom on compassionate grounds to see a dying relative, according to Australian reports.

Top photo by Anna Mustermann via Pixabay