Australian PM Scott Morrison Calls for China's Wild Animal Markets to Be Banned


Scott Morrison calls for China's wild animal markets to be BANNED as Australia's coronavirus cases climb to 5,315

-> Scott Morrison called for a global crackdown on Chinese wild animal markets
-> Mr Morrison said the recently reopened markets were a significant problem
-> It is speculated that the coronavirus was spread to humans at a wet market
-> He said Australia will push China to ban wet markets through the United Nations

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for a global crackdown on Chinese wild animal markets which are believed to be the source of the coronavirus pandemic.

There has been widespread speculation the virus made the jump to humans at 'wet markets' that have recently reopened in China.

Mr Morrison said the markets were a real and significant problem.

'From a world health point of view, I think this is something the World Health Organisation should do something about,' he told 2GB radio on Friday.

He signalled Australia would take a strong stance through the United Nations in pushing China to ban wet markets.

'We've got to be quite strident on these things in these forums and making sure that they're dealing with what are quite serious health risks,' the prime minister said.

Wuhan began to reopen its shops and markets at the end of March after it had spent more than two months in lockdown.

Mr Morrison described that it 'can be a real problem when it comes to what can occur in those markets.'

The Prime Minister also noted that coronavirus cases were increasing across Australia as the number of positive COVID-19 cases rose to 5,315 on Friday.

He said that the virus was spreading as some Australians were continuing to ignore the federal government's strict social distancing measures.

'We're still seeing people doing things that they know they shouldn't be doing and that's very frustrating,' Mr Morrison said.

The distancing measures restrict gatherings to a maximum of two people and encourage Australians to only leave their homes for essential reasons.

These essential reasons include grocery shopping, exercise, providing care and attending work or education.

The Prime Minister noted that these 'tough' protective measures could be in place for six months or more.

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