NITN | @notintownlive | 05 Oct 2021, 07:43 am
Australia | Covid-19
Image: Wikimedia Creative Commons
Canberra/NITN: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the country will not welcome international tourists until next year, while the returns of skilled migrants and overseas students will be given higher priority.
During an interview to Australia-based Seven Network television on Tuesday, Prime Minister Morisson said that Australian citizens and residents, who are vaccinated, will be able to travel overseas and return.
"The first priority is Australians, and the next priorities are skilled migrants that are very important for the country and who are double vaccinated, as well as students who are coming and returning to Australia for their studies," Scott Morrison told Seven Network.
"We will get to international visitors as well, I believe next year," Morrison added.

Talking about the vaccination roll out in the Oceanian country, Scott Morrison said, "Australia's vaccination programme is running very strongly, and today we have reached the 'milestone' of 80 percent of the eligible population— aged 16 and older— having received first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine."
"When we get to 70 and 80 percent vaccination (double doses), then we will also have treatments in place into the future so we can ensure the pressure comes off the hospitals, we can live with the virus," the Prime Minister said in the interview.
"We can ensure Australians can take their lives back. We've saved lives, saved livelihoods, and I want to see Australians now take their lives back," Morrison added.
Last week, PM Morrison outlined plans to allow vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents to fly overseas and to ease border restrictions from November, as the country is all set to move from a strict zero-Covid strategy to a model of living with the virus.
Related article: Australia reveals plan to resume international travel, ease border restrictions
The move comes more than 18 months after Australia closed its borders to the world to contain the spread of Covid-19, imposing quotas on arrivals.
Due to the Australian government's decision, thousands of citizens had been stranded overseas and those able to make the journey had to undergo a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine.
- Thailand’s New Visa Programme Offers Long-Term Stay for Property Owners
- Taking Your Paw Friends on a Train? What to Know Before Travelling with Pets on Indian Railways
- ₹70,000 for Abu Dhabi-Delhi Flights? Middle East War Hit Travellers Hard
- High Price of Exodus! The Ultra-Rich Pay USD 350,000 to Leave Dubai
- Czechia Reports Double-Digit Growth from India as Tourists Look Beyond Prague
- UK Rolls Out eVisa for Indians: What You Need to Know
- Swipe Smart: How Indians Can Avoid Overpaying While Travelling Abroad
- Radisson and MBD Group Join Hands to Take Luxury Hospitality to New Heights
- New US Border Rules: Canada Advises First Nations to Carry Passport
- Hot food in plastic packets: Is it safe? Vande Bharat passenger raises concern
Travellers flying through Miami International Airport during one of the country’s biggest tennis tournaments can expect enhanced lounge services, as American Airlines rolls out a series of event-week upgrades.
Passengers booking flights with IndiGo will have to pay more starting March 14 after the airline announced an additional fuel charge on all domestic and international routes amid rising fuel prices linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, global flight operations continue to face disruptions, with limited services and rising airfares affecting travellers across several regions.
