Australia to ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people

A special exemption is required to travel to the country.

Australia is set to ease travel restrictions for its citizens, with fully vaccinated people permitted to travel overseas from Monday, 1 November. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the forthcoming lifting of the travel ban on 7 News' Sunrise programme on Wednesday morning. “I can announce today that last night the Health Minister signed off on the fact that from the 1st of November, Australians who are double vaccinated will be able to travel overseas," said Morrison. Australia imposed some of strictest travel restrictions seen during the pandemic, with the majority of its citizens requiring special dispensation in order to leave the country since March of 2020. Morrison pointed to the country's vaccination rate, noting that the Australia's first dose vaccination uptake is higher than the United Kingdom. Despite the new overseas exemption, only Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families may currently enter the country. "Australia’s borders are currently closed and entry to Australia remains strictly controlled to help prevent the spread of Covid-19," notes a statement by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. "Travel to Australia is only available if you are exempt or you have been granted an individual exemption." A list of potential exemptions that may apply to those seeking to travel to the country is available here.