Australia to outline plans for lifting international travel curbs: sources

[SYDNEY] Australia will lift international travel curbs on vaccinated Australians once states move to home quarantine, two sources told Reuters on Friday, as it races to inoculate its adult population to begin easing tough lockdown restrictions.

The date for reopening has not been decided yet, the sources said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is due to hold a press conference later on Friday, where he is expected to address the issue, the sources said.

Australia closed its international border in March 2020 in response to the pandemic, allowing entry almost exclusively to citizens and permanent residents who are required to undergo a mandatory two-week hotel quarantine at their own expense.

Australian citizens and permanent residents were also banned from exiting the country without special permission.

As part of a four-stage plan proposed by the federal government in July, international borders would be gradually reopened once 80 per cent of the adult population has been vaccinated.

REUTERS