(DailyExpertNews) — Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in Sydney and Melbourne will no longer have to quarantine for 72 hours from Tuesday, December 21, Australian government officials announced on Thursday.
Travelers will be isolated until they get a negative result on the test taken after arrival.
Travelers in New South Wales must also undergo a follow-up test six days after arrival. In Victoria, an additional test is required between the fifth and seventh day after arrival.
Passengers arriving from overseas in New South Wales and Victoria aged 18 and over who are not considered fully vaccinated will still have to go straight into a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine, the statement said.
The ease of restrictions comes after New South Wales reported a daily record of 2,313 Covid-19 cases.
‘Simplification of the process’
New South Wales Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet said the changes are intended to clarify the process for international travelers.
“We know it’s been a challenging time for international travel with new regulations and the emergence of the Omicron variant, but this announcement is about simplifying the process and ensuring Australia’s two largest cities have a consistent approach” said Perrottet.
Acting Victorian Prime Minister James Merlino said with more than 92% of Victoria’s population doubly vaccinated, the new policy will protect the community and help them learn to live with Covid-19.
“Victorians have given themselves the greatest opportunity to live safely with coronavirus and enjoy more freedoms this holiday season as we continue to follow the Omicron variant,” Merlino said.
Forrest Brown of DailyExpertNews contributed to this article.
