- Australia readies itself for a partial reopening of its international borders for the first time since March 2020.
- Vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents living in New South Wales, Victoria and the capital Canberra will be free to fly internationally from Monday without the need of an exemption or to quarantine upon return.
- But while airlines and tourism agencies have reported “massive demand” for services, only 23% of Australians feel confident about making travel plans in the next year, a survey by consumer advocacy group Choice showed last week.
Quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia will resume from Monday, Australia’s tourism minister said on Sunday, as the country readies itself for a partial reopening of its international borders for the first time since March 2020 as reported by Reuters.
Quarantine-Free Travel
Vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents living in New South Wales, Victoria, and the capital Canberra will be able to fly overseas without requiring an exemption or quarantine upon their return beginning Monday.
Only tourists from New Zealand will be allowed into Australia for the time being, if they are vaccinated.
In a statement, Tourism Minister Dan Tehan stated, “The restoration of quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia is another crucial signpost on our journey to recovery.”
At the outset of the epidemic, Australia closed its borders, allowing only a small number of citizens and permanent residents to return, with a mandatory 14-day quarantine term in a hotel at their own expense.
Australia’s Current Situation
Over 80% of adults, 16 and older in New South Wales, Victoria, and Canberra are completely vaccinated, which is a need for the resumption of foreign travel. This means that 14 million Australians will be able to leave and re-enter the country.
However, despite “huge demand” for services from airlines and tourism firms, only 23% of Australians are confident in making travel arrangements in the coming year, according to a survey released last week by consumer advocacy organisation Choice.
On Sunday, more than 1,200 new coronavirus cases were reported across Australia, with 1,036 illnesses in Victoria and 177 in New South Wales.
While the Delta outbreak kept Sydney and Melbourne in lockdowns for months until recently, Australia’s COVID-19 cases remain far lower than many comparable countries, with just over 170,500 infections and 1,735 deaths.
Nearly 77% of all Australians have been now fully vaccinated, and more than 88% have received their first dose.
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Source: Reuters
