Sydney will end the mandatory quarantine for international travelers from next month, officials said on Friday (October 15), signaling an earlier than expected end to severe restrictions linked to the coronavirus.
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Australia's borders had been closed for 19 months to prevent the spread of Covid-19, even blocking tens of thousands of Australians abroad. Currently, anyone entering Australia must obtain special permission and pay several thousand dollars to be locked in a hotel room for 14 days.
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced that starting November 1, fully vaccinated travelers to the state will need to test negative before flying, but will will no longer have to undergo quarantine upon arrival.
“For doubly vaccinated people around the world, Sydney, NSW is open for business,”
he said.
“Quarantine in hotels will be a thing of the past.
It is an important day for our State, ”
he added.
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As part of a national post-pandemic roadmap, borders were to gradually reopen in November, but only Australians and permanent residents being allowed in, with mandatory home quarantine.
Dominic Perrottet's statements indicate that the reopening will be wider in New South Wales, with foreign tourists also able to visit.
The announcement points to a situation where residents of Sydney will be allowed to travel to Paris but not Perth, with the borders of the state of Western Australia with the rest of the country remaining closed.
Sydney's lockdown, which has lasted for more than 100 days, was lifted last week and restrictions are being phased out.
