Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens
CNN
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, October 1 announced plans to reopen the country's borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents, moving from a strict zero-Covid strategy to a model of living with the virus.
(CNN) — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, October 1 announced plans to reopen the country's borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents, moving from a strict zero-Covid strategy to a model of living with the virus.
The move -- expected to take effect in November -- comes more than 18 months after Australia closed its borders to the world in response to the pandemic, imposing quotas on arrivals that left thousands of citizens stranded overseas and mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine for those able to make the journey.
Morrison also said that with 55% of the country now fully vaccinated and first dose rates approaching 80%, the government "has been finalizing plans so Australian families can be reunited, Australian workers can travel in and out of our country, and we can work towards welcoming tourists back to our shores."
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