Australians are finally able to jet overseas after an agonising 590 days shut off from the rest of the world, with those already abroad and desperate to fly home also allowed to enter without hotel quarantine in some states.
In the biggest change to Australia’s border rules since the Covid pandemic began, fully-vaccinated residents can now take a dream holiday anywhere in the world and will no longer need to apply for an exemption to leave the country from Monday.
For overseas travellers returning to Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT, the gruelling 14-day hotel quarantine stint will also no longer apply, after being put in place way back in March 2020.
The border opening is estimated to bring a $1billion a week surge in consumer spending, with jubilant scenes predicted for major airports as families are finally reunited on Monday morning.
While international travel is the biggest change to come from the swathe of eased restrictions, domestic travel will also open up between Sydney and regional NSW.
Fully-vaccinated Australian residents can travel overseas from Monday in the biggest chance to international travel since the pandemic began – but foreign tourists still aren’t allowed to fly to Australia (pictured, a tourist in London)
International travel
Australians who have spent the past year-and-a-half itching to go overseas will now be able to do so as long as they’ve received both jabs and are permanent residents or citizens.
Travellers will no longer need to apply for an exemption to leave the country but will need to show proof of their vaccination status.
Those under the age of 12 or who can’t be vaccinated due to medical reasons will also be allowed to travel.
Australians will also need to show proof of a negative PCR Covid test taken 72 hours before they leave the country.
Travellers under the age of five will not need to receive a Covid test.
Those living in Australia who aren’t citizens or don’t have permanent residency are still banned from returning Down Under if they were to leave.
Travellers will no longer need to apply for an exemption to leave the country but will need to show proof of their vaccination status (pictured, Sydney Airport in April when New Zealanders were allowed back into Australia)
Aussies will also need to show proof of a negative PCR Covid test taken 72 hours before they leave the country (pictured, travellers at Sydney Airport during the pandemic)
Quarantine restrictions
For those who are double-vaxxed and returning to Australia, there is no longer a requirement to quarantine at home or in a hotel upon arrival in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.
This means the gruelling fortnight confined to a hotel room will be a thing of the past, with travellers having had to fork out thousands of dollars to pay for their accommodation.
But the new freedoms do not apply to other states and territories.
In Tasmania, fully-vaccinated travellers can arrive in the state without having to quarantine from December 15.
They will need to provide a negative Covid test 72 hours before arrival.
Tassie residents who have been out of the state for less than a week will not need to be tested.
Regional travel between Sydney and NSW will also reopen on Monday with families able to make their dream beach holiday trips (pictured, a surfer on the NSW coast)
Meanwhile Queensland’s borders are set to open on December 17, in line with the state hitting the 80 per cent double vaccination target.
South Australia will welcome back fully-vaccinated domestic travellers from November 23 without quarantine, and international travellers once 90 per cent are double vaxxed.
The Northern Territory will allow travellers from hot spots to home quarantine as of November 23.
Western Australia, which has remained mostly shut off to the rest of the country during the pandemic, is yet to reveal its reopening plan – much to the disappointment of families shut off from their loved ones.
Domestic travel
Those unable to head off overseas just yet will still be able to travel in their own backyard with unrestricted travel opening up between NSW, Victoria and the ACT for the fully-vaccinated.
Regional travel will also be allowed in NSW from Monday after Sydneysiders were shut off from the area during the recent four-month-long lockdown.
Holiday hotspots like Byron Bay, the south coast and the mid-north coast are expected to be flooded with travellers over the next week.
Qantas has already taken bookings for nearly 500,000 domestic flights within the past fortnight, The Australian reported, while Virgin has seen a 125 per cent increase in bookings within the past month.
‘Australia’s economy is ready for lift off as millions of Australians get their freedom back. Today is a day for Australians to celebrate,’ Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
Qantas has already taken bookings for nearly 500,000 domestic flights within the past fortnight (pictured, Qantas crew on October 28)
Those unable to head off overseas just yet will still be able to travel in their own backyard with unrestricted travel opening up between NSW, Victoria and the ACT for the fully-vaccinated (pictured, a traveller returns to Sydney in the early stages of the pandemic)
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