PM opens door to international travel in November
Scott Morrison says Australia’s ban on outbound international travel is expected to end in November when states and territories reach 80 per cent double-dose vaccination, while quarantine rules will ease for fully vaccinated Australians returning from overseas.
Photo: AAP/Dean Lewins
The plan, agreed to by the federal government and state and territory leaders, will see Australia’s international borders opened for the first time since being shut in March last year in response to the global spread of COVID-19.
Under the new plan, citizens and permanent residents fully immunised with a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration will be required to undergo seven days’ home quarantine, rather than 14-days quarantine in a medi-hotel.
Others will be required 14 days managed isolation.
People who cannot be vaccinated including those under 12 or with a medical condition will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel.
States and territories will begin this program at different times given varying vaccination rates.
“The Government’s intention is that once changes are made in November, the current overseas travel restrictions related to COVID-19 will be removed and Australians will be able to travel subject to any other travel advice and limits, as long as they are fully vaccinated and those countries’ border setting allow,” Morrison said in a statement a short time ago.
“Border settings and quarantine requirements in other countries continue to change and we strongly encourage all Australians to closely monitor DFAT travel advice.
“These changes mean there will be no travel restrictions if you are a vaccinated Australian entering or leaving our shores.
“We will also work towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand, when it is safe to do so.
“Testing is expected to continue to be a requirement of international travel, but subject to further medical advice.”
Australian travellers will be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document in the coming weeks to prove their status.
The TGA will recognise China’s Sinovac and Covishield produced in India as authorised vaccines to enter Australia.
More than 45,000 people are stuck overseas waiting to come home with the NSW government indicating it wants to welcome thousands into the country when borders reopen.
-With AAP
