The Australian government announced on Wednesday that the ban on people traveling overseas without permission will be lifted, with the country's border expected to open to international students and skilled workers by the end of the year.
It’s been more than 18 months since the Australian border is
closed. But the situation will change soon because roughly all of its citizens
are completely vaccinated. People won’t need any special permission in order to
travel outside the country, according to the joint statement of the health ministry
and home affairs ministry.
According to the reports, nearly 80% of Australia’s adult
population is double vaccinated.
Karen Andrews, the minister of Home Affairs said, ”While we are
currently prioritizing Australian citizens, more travel restrictions for some
non-citizens will be eased as vaccination rate increases”.
"Before the end of the year, we anticipate welcoming fully vaccinated skilled workers and international students," she added.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who hinted at the changes
earlier this month, said Australia is "very close" to announcing a
reciprocal travel bubble with Singapore, which revealed on Tuesday that
Australians will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival.
In reaction to the coronavirus outbreak, Australia imposed
some of the world's strictest border controls on March 20 of last year.
Countless international aircraft have been grounded for
nearly 600 days, and international travel has dwindled to a dribble.
While quarantine for returning passengers has been abolished in Sydney, other Australian states with lower vaccination rates still have strict 14-day hotel quarantine rules.