Australia to reopen international border for people vaccinated against COVID-19 – National

Quarantine-free journey from New Zealand to Australia will resume from Monday, Australia’s tourism minister mentioned on Sunday, because the nation readies itself for a partial reopening of its worldwide borders for the primary time since March 2020.

Vaccinated Australian residents and everlasting residents residing in New South Wales, Victoria and the capital Canberra can be free to fly internationally from Monday with out the necessity of an exemption or to quarantine upon return.

For now, nonetheless, solely vacationers from neighboring New Zealand can be allowed into Australia, offered they’re vaccinated.

“The resumption of quarantine free journey from New Zealand to Australia is one other vital marker on our street to restoration,” Tourism Minister Dan Tehan mentioned in an announcement.

Australia closed its borders in the beginning of the pandemic, permitting solely a restricted variety of residents and everlasting residents to return from overseas, topic to a compulsory 14-day quarantine interval in a resort at their very own expense.

Over 80% of individuals 16 and older in New South Wales, Victoria and Canberra are absolutely vaccinated – a situation for the resumption of worldwide journey – that means that some 14 million Australians can be free to depart and re-enter the nation if they’re absolutely vaccinated.

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However whereas airways and tourism businesses have reported “huge demand” for companies, solely 23% of Australians really feel assured about making journey plans within the subsequent yr, a survey by shopper advocacy group Alternative confirmed final week.

There have been greater than 1,200 new coronavirus instances recorded throughout Australia on Sunday, with 1,036 in Victoria and 177 infections in New South Wales. There have been 13 associated deaths.

Whereas the Delta outbreak saved Sydney and Melbourne in lockdowns for months till not too long ago, Australia’s COVID-19 instances stay far decrease than many comparable nations, with simply over 170,500 infections and 1,735 deaths.

Almost 77% of all Australians have been now absolutely vaccinated, and greater than 88% have obtained their first dose.

— Reporting by Lidia Kelly

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