- NSW will ditch the quarantine requirements for international arrivals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- State Premier Dominic Perrottet announced immunised visitors won’t have to quarantine at home or in a hotel from November 1 onwards
- Instead of home quarantine, Mr Perrottet says arrivals will need to return a negative COVID-19 test and show proof of TGA-approved vaccines
- Arrival caps will also be removed, however only 210 unvaccinated passengers will be allowed to arrive in Sydney per week
- Meanwhile, Victoria announced it will allow vaccinated travellers from Sydney to enter the state without quarantine — despite its own citizens being restricted to a travel bubble
NSW will ditch the quarantine requirements for international arrivals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
State Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Friday that from November 1 immunised visitors won’t have to quarantine at home or in a hotel.
Mr Perrottet said instead arrivals would need to return a negative COVID-19 test and show proof of having received a TGA-approved vaccine.
Media release: reopening roadmap update. #NSWPol #auspol2021 pic.twitter.com/mKbxdO0W53
— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) October 14, 2021
Arrival caps will also be removed from that date, however only 210 unvaccinated passengers will be allowed to arrive in Sydney per week.
Today’s announcement marks a major policy shift for the new Premier and also the first time a State or Territory in Australia has ditched quarantine requirements.
Previous Premier Gladys Berejiklian had instead advocated for the home quarantine to replace paid hotel quarantine for arrivals.
In defence of the change, Premier Perrottet said it was vital NSW’s economy was allowed to prosper.
“We can’t live here in hermit kingdom. So many businesses rely on tourism for business and trade,” Mr Perrottet said.
The change in quarantine requirements comes as the state recorded 399 locally acquired COVID-19 cases and four deaths on Friday.
Neighbouring Victoria recorded 2197 new cases of the virus today, and the State’s Health Minister said it would stick with its home quarantine plan for international arrivals.
“Victoria is signed up to the National Cabinet plan for the reopening of international borders,” Mr Foley said.
“We are participating in the trial of home-based quarantine as part of that arrangement and that is what we will do.”
But, Victoria announced today it will allow vaccinated travellers from Sydney to enter the state without quarantine — despite its own citizens being restricted to a travel bubble.
From next week those in Red Zones can arrive in Victoria without quarantining for two weeks, opening the pathway for international arrivals in Sydney to travel to Melbourne.