Australian authorities have announced the country will open its borders to international travellers before the end of this year.
The country’s Tourism Minister, Dan Tehan, told CNN on Wednesday that residents ‘have to stick to the national plan that will see our international border open up… at this rate by Christmas at the latest.’
He added that borders will only open when at least 80% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.
Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia said in a press statement: ‘We need to claim back our way of life so that we can visit friends and relatives, get back into the workplace, get our kids back to school, travel domestically and internationally again, and welcome the world back to enjoy all that Australia has to offer.’
Australia plans to trial vaccine passports – proving vaccination status – with selected countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the US and Pacific islands.
Qantas, the country’s national airline said it plans to resume international flights beginning in October.
ASO READ
Countries South Africans can travel to – and what you need to enter
