Australia will allow foreign visa holders toenter the country from the start of December, Prime Minister Scott Morrisonsaid on Monday, the latest step to restart international travel and support itseconomy.
Twenty months after Australia slammed shutits borders, some visa holders - as well as Japanese and South Korean citizens- will be able to enter from December 1.
Australia has approved both the made-in-IndiaCovaxin and Covishield.
“The return of skilled workers and studentsto Australia is a major milestone in our pathway back; it’s a major milestoneabout what Australians have been able to achieve," said Prime MinisterScott Morrison.
Australia has implemented some of the world'stightest border controls since March last year, including on its own citizens.
From December 1, fully vaccinated eligiblevisa holders including students and skilled workers, can come to Australiawithout needing to apply for a travel exemption, a statement by the Australiangovernment said.
The travellers will also have toprovide proof of their vaccination status and present a negative COVID-19Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure forAustralia.
"Australia continues to takefurther steps to safely reopen to the world, with additional changes to ourinternational border arrangements coming into effect on 1 December," thestatement said.
"From 1 December 2021, fully vaccinatedeligible visa holders can come to Australia without needing to apply for atravel exemption. Eligible visa holders include skilled and student cohorts, aswell as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visaholders," it said.
"Travellers to Australia must complywith the quarantine requirements in the state or territory of their arrival,and any other state or territory to which they plan to travel," it added.