Australia advises caution overseas when border opens Monday
ABC News
Australia has advised its nationals traveling overseas to exercise a high degree of caution as it prepares to open its borders for the first time in 19 months
CANBERRA, Australia -- Australia advised its nationals traveling overseas on Thursday to “exercise a high degree of caution” as it prepares to open its borders for the first time in 19 months.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reinstated its travel advice for 177 countries and territories ahead of fully vaccinated Australians becoming free to travel from Monday.
No destination has been given a risk assessment lower than the second-tier warning: “Exercise a high degree of caution.”
The vast majority of Australian permanent residents and citizens have been stranded in the island nation since March last year by some of the most draconian pandemic restrictions of any democracy. They had to request exemptions from the ban and demonstrate exceptional circumstances. Most requests were rejected or approved too late for Australians to reach death beds or funerals. Travel to and from Australia for tourism has never been allowed.