Australian PM announces fast-tracked plan to reopen international borders

Australian PM announces fast-tracked plan to reopen international borders

Eighteen months after he closed Australia’s borders, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he’s in talks with the New South Wales state government in a bid to “accelerate” a plan to open international travel in NSW as early as November 1.

Earlier this month, Morrison announced that bans on international travel will be lifted in November, a month ahead of schedule. Sydney is due to start easing lockdown measures from tomorrow (Monday).

“The New South Wales government is looking at ways to fast track home quarantine in November and if that happens, we will be able to move to facilitate the opening up of the international border into New South Wales sooner,” Morrison said in a video posted on Facebook today (Sunday.)

“That would mean home quarantine for vaccinated Australians wishing to return home via Sydney, and giving the option for international travel for vaccinated Australians to leave and return.”

The proposal outlined by the Prime Minister follows discussions with the new NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet about fast-tracking the rollout of home quarantine.

The move away from 14 days of hotel quarantine for vaccinated travellers is regarded as a crucial step before international travel can start ramping up to pre-pandemic levels. Trials are currently away in several states.

“The NSW Premier and I have been discussing how we can accelerate our plan to open international travel when home quarantine is made available,’’ Mr Morrison said on Sunday.

“I know the NSW Government is looking at ways to fast track home quarantine in November and if that happens we will be able to move to facilitate the opening up of the international border into NSW sooner.

“Now, that would mean home quarantine for vaccinated Australians wishing to return home via Sydney and giving the option for international travel for vaccinated Australians to leave and return.”

The Prime Minister announced earlier this month that the border closures that have remained in place since March, 2020 will be lifted but it was up to individual states whether they will scrap caps on international arrivals and allow home quarantine.

As a result, states including WA and Queensland could shut-out international flights for months to come but residents would be able to fly overseas via NSW.

Eighteen months after he closed Australia’s borders, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he’s in talks with the New South Wales state government in a bid to “accelerate” a plan to open international travel in NSW as early as November 1.

Earlier this month, Morrison announced that bans on international travel will be lifted in November, a month ahead of schedule. Sydney is due to start easing lockdown measures from tomorrow (Monday).

“The New South Wales government is looking at ways to fast track home quarantine in November and if that happens, we will be able to move to facilitate the opening up of the international border into New South Wales sooner,” Morrison said in a video posted on Facebook today (Sunday.)

“That would mean home quarantine for vaccinated Australians wishing to return home via Sydney, and giving the option for international travel for vaccinated Australians to leave and return.”

The proposal outlined by the Prime Minister follows discussions with the new NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet about fast-tracking the rollout of home quarantine.

The move away from 14 days of hotel quarantine for vaccinated travellers is regarded as a crucial step before international travel can start ramping up to pre-pandemic levels. Trials are currently away in several states.

“The NSW Premier and I have been discussing how we can accelerate our plan to open international travel when home quarantine is made available,’’ Mr Morrison said on Sunday.

“I know the NSW Government is looking at ways to fast track home quarantine in November and if that happens we will be able to move to facilitate the opening up of the international border into NSW sooner.

“Now, that would mean home quarantine for vaccinated Australians wishing to return home via Sydney and giving the option for international travel for vaccinated Australians to leave and return.”

The Prime Minister announced earlier this month that the border closures that have remained in place since March, 2020 will be lifted but it was up to individual states whether they will scrap caps on international arrivals and allow home quarantine.

As a result, states including WA and Queensland could shut-out international flights for months to come but residents would be able to fly overseas via NSW.