Australia is poised to ditch its Covid vaccination entry rules in a major boost for tourism.
From Wednesday (July 6), people arriving Down Under will no longer have to declare their Covid vaccination status or obtain a travel exemption.
The change puts an end to restrictions that have been in place since the country opened its borders last year, and ends more than two years of Covid related border policies.
The news - which will make getting into the country simpler and hopefully reduced queues - comes as Australia surpasses a grim Covid milestone.
As of this weekend 10,000 people have died of the disease in the country, despite more than a year of incredibly tight lockdowns and anti-spreading measures.
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Speaking of the change to the border policy, home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, said: “This is great news for families coming home from school holidays who now don’t need to use the DPD (digital passenger declaration).
“As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of Covid, our airports are getting busier.
“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.”
The digital pass cost £42million to develop and replaced a passenger arrival form.
It required people to upload their vaccination status ahead of entering Australia, and was criticised for being difficult to use.
“I know anyone who has travelled internationally since the borders have opened will find this as one less thing to worry about – especially as more Australians get back to travelling overseas," Ms O'Neil said.
Health Minister Mark Butler said that travellers needed to still comply with remaining Covid requirements of airlines and shipping operators, as well as those imposed by other countries, states and territories.
Mask-wearing is still required on inbound international flights, while state and territory mask-wearing mandates also remain for domestic flights.
He said "it is pretty clear" that the cases are going to rise in the next couple of 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 told reporters on Sunday.
"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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