Australians criticised the government on social media, questioning how it could make room for 1200 tennis players and their entourages for next month's Australian Open, but not its own citizens. Officials in Victoria state, home to the Open, said hosting the tournament did not come at the cost of about 40,000 stranded Australians. "No-one has been set aside coming from other jurisdictions into Victoria by virtue of the Australian Open going ahead," said Brett Sutton, Victoria chief medical officer. But adding to the frustration for stranded Australians, the head of health department on Monday warned Australia may not fully reopen its international borders this year. The Australian Open runs from February 8-21.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 18, 2021 04:18 UTC