[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Australia has opened its borders for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed overseas travel only for fully vaccinated citizens.
Previously, the Australian government had implemented strict border closure measures, including suspending overseas visits by its citizens and the entry of all Australians residing abroad. This marks a limited reopening of the borders 18 months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis.
According to major foreign media, starting from the 1st, overseas travel became possible only for fully vaccinated residents of Victoria, New South Wales, and the capital city Canberra under the authorities' measures.
The travel restriction easing that began on this day applies only to regions where the vaccination completion rate exceeds 80%. Victoria and New South Wales met these conditions, leading to the lifting of travel restrictions from this day.
Additionally, fully vaccinated Australians living abroad were allowed to enter Australia from this day without separate quarantine measures.
According to local media, at Sydney International Airport, Australia's largest city, Australians arriving on flights from Los Angeles, USA, and via Singapore were seen entering the arrival hall without any separate quarantine measures.
On local social networking services (SNS), many posts showed scenes of Australians arriving from overseas embracing and shedding tears with their families and acquaintances residing locally.
Earlier, on the 27th of last month, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated in an interview with local broadcaster Channel 7, "From November 1st, Australian citizens and permanent residents who have completed COVID-19 vaccination can freely travel overseas without separate permission," adding, "Thanks to the high vaccination rate, the normalization plan is progressing well."
The border reopening measure that started on this day applied only to Australians, but the possibility of allowing entry to foreigners is increasing.
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg emphasized, "Today is a day of celebration," and "We should celebrate the fact that Australians can freely cross the borders."
Furthermore, from the 21st, Singaporeans are expected to be fully allowed entry into Australia. Currently, Singapore's vaccination completion rate stands at 82.7%.
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