Australia Opens to International Travelers!
The international borders were shut tight for nearly 600 days due to Covid but now Australia has welcomed its first group of foreign visitors as the country took steps to gradually lift the majority of Covid restrictions.
Unfortunately, it becomes very complicated form there as each state government seems to be willing to change their rules and regulations without notice, compensation or care for the traveler so it’s buyer beware when you are traveling at this time. These rules and regulation not only differ from state to state but also differ depending from which country you are traveling from. Because of these uncertainties it now mandatory to have travel insurance and it’s smart to make sure you book anything with a full refund policy.
If you are not vaccinated or have a medical exemption then you will not be permitted into Australia unless you obtain special entry permission from the Australian government.
Fully vaccinated travelers from New Zealand who test negative in pre-departure Covid tests can now enter Australia. They would be allowed to skip quarantine in certain jurisdictions like New South Wales, but those conditions may differ in other states and territories.
“Australia is open. Australians are travelling again,” Morrison said Sunday at a press briefing in Rome. “Australia’s opening up to Singapore, opening up to New Zealand.”
Australian flag carrier Qantas resumed its international operations with flights between Sydney and London and Los Angeles.
‘Ready for take-off’
“A big day for Australia! We’re ready for take-off!” Morrison said in a separate Facebook post. He added that Monday’s easing of restrictions was “an important step towards Australia reopening to the world,” and urged more people to get vaccinated.
From mid-December, Australian citizens and permanent residents can leave the country without needing an exemption. Meanwhile, fully vaccinated Australians and their families have been allowed quarantine-free entry into New South Wales and Victoria since Nov. 1.
Australia has had one of the world’s most restrictive coronavirus border policies where only citizens and permanent residents were allowed to enter and had to go through two weeks of mandatory quarantine. Thousands of Australians had been left stranded abroad as there are fewer flights available and weekly limits were placed on how many people were allowed to enter its major cities.
When the borders do reopen, fully vaccinated visa holders from anywhere in the world will be able to enter the country. To start with, this will only include working-holiday visa holders such as backpackers, plus international students, skilled workers, refugee applicants and provisional family visa holders.
‘Travel bubbles’ with Japan and South Korea will be also be established, similar to that already in effect with Singapore. This will allow fully vaccinated holidaymakers from these countries to enter Australia without the need to quarantine upon arrival. Travelers will, however, have to present a negative Covid test taken three days before arrival. Unvaccinated arrivals must still quarantine in hotels.
I guess the message here is – Be ready for anything!
Article created by Torrens Luxury Collection, Gold Coast Australia. For more Luxury Yachting articles and blogs just go to www.torrens.yachts/blog or contact us on 1300 148 648.
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