Last July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Cabinet had agreed to a program to reopen the borders. Indeed, the Cabinet, that is to say all the states and territories have agreed on a plan composed of four phases, each triggered by the achievement of vaccination thresholds expressed as a percentage of the eligible population ( over 16 years old). On July 30, more details were announced by Morrisson concerning the percentages to be reached.
To date, Australia has extended the state of health emergency until December 17, 2021. The borders will therefore remain closed until that date. This does not mean that they will reopen after December 17, but that they will remain closed until that date. Until then, no entry into the territory possible. Currently, only citizens and permanent residents, their immediate families and travelers with exemptions are allowed to enter the country. Since July 14, the government has temporarily reduced arrivals of inbound commercial flights to Australia by 50%, in an effort to reduce pressure on quarantine hotels. Australia is currently experiencing lockdowns in several cities across the country because of the Delta variant, now present in the territory.
Four phases towards the reopening of the country
The Cabinet thus accepted a plan in four phases. The goal is that in phase 4, covid will be treated “like any other infectious disease”.
Phase 1 - Current phase (vaccination, preparation and testing)
This is the phase in which the country is currently. The key is the national immunization plan , and that every Australian is fully immunized. It is expected that all Australians will have a chance to be vaccinated by the end of 2021. The country has allowed all people under the age of 40 to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca if they wish. Numerous doses of Pfizer are expected to arrive in Australia by the end of the year.
With the arrival of the Delta variant in the country, the goal here is to speed up vaccination rates. The country is putting in place strict and early lockdowns in order to eradicate the virus before it spreads.
The government will implement testing of alternative quarantine options, including a home quarantine for vaccinated travelers. Vaccinated people could also be required to quarantine only 7 days instead of 14. Attempts to bring in student visa holders are increasing.
What will it take to move to phase B?
70% of the eligible population will need to have received both doses of a vaccine before the country moves to the next stage of easing restrictions.
Mr Morrison said he believed the country could meet that 70% target before the end of the year.
Note here that the states of NSW and VIC currently in confinement have accelerated their vaccination campaign. NSW is expected to reach the only 80% of the population vaccinated next October. The PM announced following the last cabinet meeting that states having reached this vaccination threshold could re-open their borders internationally. It would therefore appear that the NSW (and potentially the VIC) are re-opening internationally before the end of the year.
Phase 2 - Post-vaccination
During this phase, lockdowns will only be used in extreme circumstances. The number of authorized inbound travelers will always be limited and the arrival limits will remain in place (app 3,500 entries / week).
The Prime Minister said “special rules” would apply to Australians vaccinated at this point, meaning they will not be subject to some of the restrictions currently placed on the population (new reduced quarantine provisions
Australia will allow entry quotas for student visa holders , subject to quarantine availability.
Following the results of the phase 1 trials, new quarantine provisions will be introduced for vaccinated travelers.
Phase 3 - Consolidation
The next phase of easing will go into effect once the country reaches 80% of the population fully vaccinated . The goal here is to manage COVID-19 in the same way as other infectious diseases.
This phase aims to impose 'minimal restrictions on the population', which include:
- Very targeted confinements only
- No quotas for the return of vaccinated Australians
- No more restrictions on overseas travel for vaccinated Australians
- Extend 'travel bubbles' for unrestricted travel to new countries
- Gradual reopening of international travel with safe countries
Phase Four - Return to Normal
The final phase of the plan is the “return to normal” phase. The international borders are finally ready to reopen.
Vaccinated people will be allowed to enter Australia without quarantine, while quotas will also be removed for arrivals of unvaccinated people. They will have to do a PCR test before the flight and upon arrival.
Some restrictions will still remain in place with a quarantine for high-risk inbound travelers and the implementation of Boosters if necessary.
When can we go to Australia?
It is increasingly clear that the recovery of international tourism will not happen for several months !!! In view of the federal budget, and the reopening plan announced last July, the opening of the borders will not happen before 2022. 80% of the eligible population will have to be fully vaccinated for a return to normal. Australia is expected to reach Phase 2 of the plan in early 2022. The government has not set a timeline for the plan's progress. So let's hope that the Australian population gets vaccinated en masse as soon as possible.
Note here that the states of NSW and VIC currently in confinement have accelerated their vaccination campaign. NSW is expected to reach the only 80% of the population vaccinated next October. The PM announced following the last cabinet meeting that states having reached this vaccination threshold could re-open their borders internationally. It would therefore appear that the NSW (and potentially the VIC) are re-opening internationally before the end of the year.
Note that you can still apply for a PVT visa on the Australian immigration website. Once obtained, the visa will not allow you to travel to Australia at this time. You will have 1 year to enter the territory from the time it is obtained. If you are currently in New Zealand, you can enter Australia, we tell you more below.
What if my visa expires before reopening?
After a period of silence, the Australian government announced that people who were unable to validate their visas and enter Australia due to the pandemic will be able to receive a refund or reapply for a visa free of charge .
Likewise, people who were in Australia and had their trip cut short because of the Covid will be able to benefit from these measures. Note that the government has not specified a minimum or maximum time spent in the territory to benefit from reimbursements. The details have not yet been clarified on the government website.
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