Australia Recognises Covishield COVID-19 Vaccine Ahead Of Border Reopening
Unvaccinated travellers will be required to hotel quarantine for two weeks
Mumbai: Australia has recognised the India-made Covishield COVID-19 vaccine and China’s CoronaVac ahead of border reopening from November.
The therapeutic Goods Administration has advised that the China-made Sinovac and India-made Covishield vaccines would be considered “recognised vaccines” when determining whether an incoming international traveller has been appropriately vaccinated, said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in an online briefing with the Indian media.
The recognition of the vaccines will remove a significant barrier for international students seeking to study in Australia. Australian PM Morrison on Friday announced the reopening of international travel and easing of border restrictions.
Commercial flights out of Australia will resume for vaccinated Australians. Travellers must be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine to home quarantine, unless they are under 12 or medically exempted, reported ABC News.
Morrison said that the international border will reopen next month for states that have reached 80% vaccination rates, starting with New South Wales, reported ABC News.
Fully Vaccinated Australians and permanent residents arriving in NSW will be able to a week, instead of paying thousands to quarantine at a hotel for 14 days, pending the success of the States’s home quarantine trial.
Meanwhile, unvaccinated travellers will be required to hotel quarantine for two weeks.
The government will also work with the states to remove travel caps for vaccinated travellers. Covid-19 Testing is expected to continue to be a part of travel, but the government is looking at using rapid antigen testing as part of the arrangement.
On March 20 last year Australia introduced some of the world’s toughest border restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Strict restrictions were imposed by Australia from travelling overseas without permission for 18-months.
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