Keep borders open in next pandemic: Woolies

State and federal governments must facilitate consistent freight movement in future national emergencies, supermarket giant Woolworths has told the COVID-19 inquiry, venting frustration that border closures blocked critical supply chains during the pandemic.

In a submission to the Albanese government’s review into the emergency response to the pandemic, Woolies said crisis co-ordination through the Home Affairs Department and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was ineffective when state governments closed their borders to stem spread of the infection.