Morrison criticises WHO for backing China on reopening wet markets

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday described as "unfathomable" the World Health Organisation's support for the reopening of China's notorious wet markets after the deadly coronavirus originated in one of them and went on to infect almost two million people globally.

A wet market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan is believed to be the source of the coronavirus pandemic that began in December last year, crossing from animals to humans.

Morrison lashed out at the World Health Organisation (WHO) for supporting the reopening of wet markets in China.

The prime minister said it was "unfathomable" to back live animal markets, which were likely the cause of the killer coronavirus.

"I'm totally puzzled by this decision," Morrison told a local TV channel. "We need to protect the world against potential sources of outbreaks of these types of viruses," Morrison said, adding "It has happened too many times."
"If you go hard late, as the UK has done, you can just see what carnage you suffer on the way through," Murphy said, adding "It's hard for me to envisage reopening nightclubs and big music festivals in the foreseeable future."