A successful vaccination program, rapid testing and vaccine passports are key to Australia's successful re-opening to the world, according to a group of experts who are urging the government develop a new national roadmap.
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A public forum of leaders from government, business, civil society and academia should also be established to tackle the challenges brought on by the global pandemic, the University of Sydney-appointed taskforce recommended in a report on Friday.
The group wants to see the country begin its return toward embracing immigration and multiculturalism as well as supporting successful initiatives brought in during the pandemic, including a public community-based care system and cooperation on nation-wide issues as demonstrated in the formation of National Cabinet.
It also urges Australia to continue its moral obligation to support Pacific and regional neighbours on health and economic issues caused by COVID-19.
To achieve those goals, the government will need to develop a national roadmap, focusing on a successful vaccination program, creating place-specific pilot programs to aid hit sectors of the economy as well as a new scheme allowing people to enter and leave the country provided they have been vaccinated or are immune to COVID-19.
Rapid border testing and a risk-weighted quarantine program are also suggested as initiatives to support the staged re-opening of the country.
Taskforce chair Mark Rigotti admitted global elimination was unlikely but it didn't mean Australia should maintain its isolationist approach.
"Australia 'won the war' by containing Covid and minimising casualties and economic scarring in 2020, now it needs to 'win the peace' by safely re-engaging with the world in 2021," Mr Rigotti said.
"The future prospects of thousands of Australian will be determined by our success: small business owners reliant on international tourism and international labour, mid-career academics, people who have given their lives to creative industries, farmers struggling to deliver the harvest.
"Safe re-engagement requires industry and place specific strategies anchored in public health principles - by guiding by the objective of reopening our society - not reverting into a hermit nation."
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The report follows the release of new research by the Sydney Policy Lab, which found broad support for people entering the country who have been fully vaccinated.
According to the survey, 55 per cent of respondents backed travel between countries with full vaccination rates and where COVID-19 outbreaks are under control.
A similar amount of respondents supported the arrival of international students into Australia provided they are fully vaccinated and comply with necessary quarantine rules.
The report is expected to be submitted to National Cabinet by the NSW government.