Australia is opening its borders in November, a full month ahead of schedule. Fully vaccinated Australians can enter and leave the country freely from next month, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday.
The nation has been subject to one of the world’s strictest controls on overseas travel since the pandemic hit in March 2020.
The first phase of the plan will focus on citizens and permanent residents being allowed to leave Australia, with further changes expected to permit foreign travellers to enter the country.
The shift will allow states that have reached the 80% vaccination rate to welcome immunized overseas visitors, while Australians will be able to travel abroad with no restrictions on destination.
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“In line with the national plan, our government is balancing the need to minimise the risk that the spread of Covid-19 presents, with the need to live with the virus,” Morrison said in a statement.
Australia is expected to ease all controls ahead of Christmas.