An IT consultant Manish Kumar Sonewal has been planning to go to India for a few months as his parents will be celebrating their 50th marriage anniversary in December and his family has planned a big birthday party to celebrate.
He knew getting a travel exemption for his wife and two kids for this occasion was not possible under government regulations.
However, today he is scrambling to find out a suitable flight that can take them to New Delhi, India’s capital.
Manish told The Australia Today, “As soon as my wife heard of the announcement of No exemption required to leave the country, She has called everyone back home informing that we will make it to the function.”
“Of course we are very excited, so are my parents who have not met their grandchildren for two years,”
said Mr Sonewal.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Morrison Government was committed to easing restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians, in line with soaring vaccination rates and the National Plan to transition Australia’s COVID-19 response.
“Our first priority is Australian citizens and permanent residents and today we are delivering on that by removing restrictions on fully-vaccinated Australians travelling out of Australia.
The easing of these restrictions is possible thanks to our impressive national vaccination rates, and I thank all those who have done the right thing and rolled up their sleeve,”
Minister Andrews said.
Minister Andrews argues “Our system of border exemptions has kept Australia free from widespread COVID transmission for more than 18 months.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said these changes have been made on medical advice regarding the protection provided by COVID-19 vaccination for travelling Australians.
“Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a TGA approved or recognised vaccine, with the second dose occurring at least seven days prior to travel.
These changes will also facilitate travel by children under 12 years of age,”
Minister Hunt said.
“We want Australians to be able to reunite with their loved ones, whether it’s for births, weddings or just to visit family. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our community against COVI D -19 and I’d like to thank every single Australian who has come forward and received a COVID-19 vaccine, which has helped us get to this point.”
People who do not meet these eligibility requirements will continue to require a travel exemption to travel overseas and will be subject to current passenger caps and quarantine arrangements (managed by states and territories) when returning to Australia.
However, Someone wanting to travel overseas should also familiarise themselves with state and territory quarantine arrangements.
New changes to the Human Biosecurity Determinations also clarify the arrangements for incoming international travel by creating clear exemptions for medical evacuation flights and people who are ‘persistent shedders’ of the COVID-19 virus.
“I look forward to further easing restrictions over coming weeks and months as more and more Australians become fully vaccinated. Before the end of the year, we anticipate welcoming fully vaccinated skilled workers and international students,”
Minister Andrews added.
New rules also simplify the pre-flight testing requirements to be three days (rather than 72 hours) and ensure that decisions on exemptions to testing are taken on the basis of recent medical advice.
More information on pre-departure testing and requirements for masks during the flight is available on the Department of Health website
