The fully vaccinated inch closer to their dream of a trip to Greece

Australia’s federal government will lift its ban on citizens travelling to other countries without exemptions, the government announced on Wednesday.

The border will open for skilled workers and international students by the end of 2021, more than 18 months after the country closed its international borders.

Fully vaccinated citizens will no be able to travel abroad without consent from Monday, however the unvaccinated will still need permission to leave Australia.

The announcement was made in a joint statement from the health and home affairs ministries.

Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt signed off on changes that will allow the fully vaccinated to leave Australia as they pleased from 1 November in the first stage in Australia’s reopening with the second stage to focus on allowing international students and critical workers back into the country.

“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,” he said.

“These changes will also facilitate travel by children under 12 years of age.”

The four TGA-approved vaccines for use in Australia are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca (now known as Vaxevria) and Johnson and Johnson.

The vaccine rule means Australians hoping to come home for Christmas may remain stuck overseas if they have had different doses of approved vaccines.

The government also clarified rules surrounding pre-flight testing for people wishing to return to Australia, from 72 hours to a general three-day rule.

In NSW, quarantine arrangements also come to an end for the fully vaccinated on 1 November.

Travel to Greece

The Greek Civil Aviation Authority has extended an entry ban to the country until Friday, 29 October. This means that people are not permitted to enter Greece from third countries if their travel is deemed to be non-essential.

EU nationals and their spouses and children are exempt from the ban. As are third-country residents from some countries, including Australia, reaching Greece for essential purposes.

People wishing to travel to Greece will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form electronically and carry an email of their PLF confirmation to show to Greek border police upon arrival. They need to have a proof of vaccination administered at least 14 days before arriving into Greece in a select group of languages (Greek, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian), as well as a negative COVID-19 test result.

Visitors to Greece diagnosed with COVID-19 upon arrival will need to isolate at their booked hotel, provided this is of four or five star quality and offers quarantine rooms.

S:neoskosmos.com