Australia scraps requirement to declare Covid vaccination status for international arrivals
Sydney (Australia), July 4: The Australian government announced the removal of requirements for international travellers to declare Covid-19 vaccination status.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Sunday that beginning on Wednesday, visitors to Australia will no longer be required to submit a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) to confirm vaccination status. It marks the end of all international travel restrictions imposed by Australia more than two years ago, in March 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier," O'Neil said.
"Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination."
All passengers going to Australia must still wear face masks for the duration of the flight.
The announcement comes as the number of Covid-19 cases in Australia continues to climb.
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Australia reported over 25,000 new Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths on Monday morning, 24 in Victoria and one in New South Wales.
Butler stated that "it is pretty clear" that the number of cases will increase in the coming months.
"It is putting pressure on hospitals with more than 3,000 people in hospital today with Covid. We are still seeing around 300 or more deaths every week with Covid," Butler stated.
"We are not through this virus yet so that's why I continue to reinforce to people to get their third dose of the vaccine."
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-PTC News
