Well - it all depends on how you manage things once you get the numbers down.
Australia is strictly controlling entry to the country - not only by quarantine, but by the actual amount allowed to land.
Perth for example, is only allowing something like 20 people a day in from overseas.
From our perspective over here - I watched on in horror at what happened in Europe after the first lockdown finished - when everyone was given freedom to roam around Europe on holiday - it seemed inevitable that any good work controlling the virus would be undone.
Australia went further and closed borders for interstate travel - Melbourne even further, with the 5km from home restriction and the “ring of steel” to prevent people travelling out of Melbourne to other parts of the state.
Apart from Victoria- every other state has reopened, with restrictions on hospitality - but in a way you can trade.
Test & Trace is in place and there has been no major spikes - all the clusters have been managed.
I mentioned the “K rate” earlier - which is more about how the virus spreads in clusters - so you mitigate against the scenarios that create clusters or “super spreading” events.
Loss of Tourism revenue is offset by people holidaying domestically more.
Stricter protocols in place for ages care, etc - which has to be funded and backed up by government.
The travel industry is ruined- but if other areas of the economy are ticking along - then aid can be focused on the areas that most need it.
I mean, there are geographical reasons why Australia can manage this - but the UK’s approach seems to be to do too little, too late and change direction frequently, all the while making sure that the interest groups key to them get supported.
