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Reopening to tourists and other international travellers to secure our economic recovery

Joint media release with the hon. scott morrison mp, the hon. greg hunt mp and the hon. dan tehan mp.

Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February.  

These changes will ensure we protect the health of Australians, while we continue to secure our economic recovery. 

Australia’s health system has demonstrated its resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including though the recent Omicron wave. With improving health conditions, including a recent 23 per cent decline in hospitalisations due to COVID, the National Security Committee of Cabinet today agreed Australia is ready to further progress the staged reopening of our international border. 

Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements. 

Today’s announcement will give certainty to our vital tourism industry, and allow them to start planning, hiring and preparing for our reopening. In 2018-19, tourism generated more than $60 billion for the Australian economy, with more than 660,000 jobs dependent on the industry. 

Since the Morrison Government commenced Australia’s staged international border reopening on 1 November 2021 we have seen almost 580,000 arrivals come to Australia including to reunite with loved ones, work or study. 

The Commonwealth continues to work with States and Territories on the safe resumption of the cruise industry and looks forward to further announcements on this in due course.

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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

COVID-19 and travel

Find out about travel requirements and steps you can take to stay safe.

Domestic travel within Australia

Domestic travel requirements are determined by state and territory governments. Check the websites of local health departments for information about travel to:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia .

Travelling overseas

The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements in place for travellers entering and departing Australia.

COVID-19 however continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. We strongly encourage wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. You should practice good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distance from others where possible.

Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may have COVID-19 travel requirements in place. Check the requirements of any:

• countries you are travelling to, or transiting through
• airlines or vessel operators.
• Smartraveller website
• Australian Government – international travel information .

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important if you become sick with COVID-19 overseas. Make sure your insurance includes:

• transit destinations
• inclusions for COVID-19
• other add-ons like cruise specific insurance.

Some destinations also require travellers to hold travel insurance as a condition of entry.

Cruise travel

Check with your cruise provider or travel agent for up-to-date travel requirements for your ship and destination/s. You can also contact the relevant state or territory government to find out if any requirements apply for your destination.

Outbreaks onboard a cruise

Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other types of travel. COVID-19, influenza, and other infectious diseases spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.

If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise, you may need to:

• quarantine on the ship
• disembark and follow the local rules in the state or territory or country you are in.

Before you travel, check the  Smartraveller advice on cruises . Contact your travel agent or cruise operator for specific information on their COVID-19 safety protocols.

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NSW Covid restrictions: reopening rules for Sydney, regional NSW, freedoms for vaccinated people – explained

Here’s what we know about the next stages of reopening in New South Wales, and what you can and can’t do as the state leaves lockdown

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• Australia vaccine rollout tracker ; cases and data tracker
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Restrictions for fully vaccinated residents of New South Wales eased further from Monday 8 November.

There are now no limits on the number of visitors to your home, or limits for hospitality venues and major recreation and entertainment facilities.

Travel restrictions between greater Sydney and regional NSW, as well as the end of quarantine for international arrivals, were eased from the beginning of November.

NSW eased more Covid restrictions for fully vaccinated people on 8 November. What are the new freedoms?

However the date that unvaccinated residents can rejoin society has been pushed back further, to when the state hits a 95% double dose rate, or December 15, whichever comes sooner.

Here is everything you need to know about the plan.

What changed on 1 November?

From 1 November, caps on bookings for hospitality venues were lifted.

Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW also resumed. Intrastate travel was initially slated for 80% vaccination targets, but was delayed to allow time for regional NSW vaccination rates to increase.

Quarantine requirements were also removed as well as caps for overseas arrivals, provided they are fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved, Commonwealth recognised vaccine and receive a Covid-19 test prior to flying.

Overseas arrivals who are not fully vaccinated are capped at 210 people per week, and will be required to complete 14 days quarantine.

What changed from 8 November?

On Monday 8 November, the following settings applied to fully vaccinated residents.

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces

No limit on the number of visitors to a home.

Density will shift to one person per 2 sq m for indoor and outdoor settings.

No limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings.

Covid-safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people.

Community sport permitted for all people.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

Retail stores can operate at one person per 2 sq m.

Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2 sq m.

Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2 sq m inside and outside, with no seating required for eating and drinking.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2 sq m (uncapped).

Intimate services can open with one person per 4 sq m.

Major outdoor recreation facilities

Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sq m.

Entertainment, information and education facilities

Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 2 sq m.

Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums and galleries) can operate with one person per 2 sq m.

Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4 sq m.

Working from home

Working from home will be at the employer’s discretion.

All year groups continue with face-to-face learning.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

One person per 2 sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing.

One person per 2 sq m for funerals.

Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2 sq m, with singing permitted.

Domestic travel, including trips between greater Sydney and regional NSW.

International travel is permitted, with fully vaccinated travellers able to enter Sydney without quarantining provided they complete Covid-19 tests.

Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate.

Carpooling is permitted. Quarantine settings for vaccinated arrivals will be altered. A cap on unvaccinated travellers may remain.

Mask-wearing will be mandatory while travelling on public transport, on planes and at airports, and for front-of-house hospitality workers.

Mask wearing is not required when outdoors.

What about unvaccinated people in NSW?

Unvaccinated residents will still be under stay-at-home orders and excluded from the above settings until 15 December, or when the state reaches 95% double-dose vaccination coverage – whichever occurs first.

At this point, the mask mandate will be scrapped.

Will overseas travel and quarantine change?

Quarantine for vaccinated arrivals was lifted from 1 November. Caps were also be lifted for vaccinated travellers.

Unvaccinated international arrivals still have to complete 14 days quarantine.

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Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is being regularly updated to ensure that it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.

• New South Wales
• Coronavirus
• Infectious diseases

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Check before you pack and go

While the rules are relaxing for people moving around Australia between different states and territories in relation to COVID-19, the rules remain for the movement of plants and plant products between states and territories to prevent the movement of pests and diseases.

“Just be aware that if you take fruit and veggies with you, you may need to surrender it in amnesty bins at or before the checkpoints,” warned Rod.

“In particular, South Australia still has zero-tolerance for people turning up at the border carrying fruit and veg and you will be fined if you are carrying anything you shouldn’t be.”

“If you are self-catering or camping, you might be tempted to pack all your food before you go. But remember not to pack fruit and veg in your car or caravan if you know you will soon need to cross a state border. You may be disappointed if you have to surrender it because it’s banned.”

“Only buy what you need for the time you will be in the area, or that you know you will be able to take with you.”

It’s generally better to go shopping locally once you arrive at your destination. You’ll not only avoid a fine but also support local businesses in the Empty Esky campaign for to support bushfire recovery.

“Examples are the citrus red mite in NSW, phylloxera in parts of NSW and Victoria, and tomato potato psyllid near Perth, WA. Other offenders are Queensland fruit flies, present in the east coast states and NT, but not SA, WA or Tasmania, and Mediterranean fruit fly which is present only in WA.”

Other zones are ‘exclusion zones’ that are free from particular pests or diseases.

“Particular crops are grown in these areas and we want to keep pests and diseases out. Examples are the potato growing zones in NSW, Victoria and WA.”

So before you pack and get out and about this holiday season, make sure you check the Traveller’s Guide to see what you can and can’t safely take with you wherever you are going. Rules can change too, so check to make sure nothing has changed since you last looked.

Please pass on this important reminder to your interstate (and overseas) friends and family members.

More information

Download Australian Interstate Quarantine: A traveller’s guide

Alternatively, go to the map on the page and click on the name of the state or territory you wish to travel to (ie the text, not the map). A list of commodities will be displayed and the state or territory of origin. For example, no fresh fruit may be taken into South Australia from NSW, NT, Queensland, Victoria or WA.

More information about biosecurity zones is available on the Quarantine Zones page.

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• Integrated Cargo System (ICS)

Can you bring it in? What can you bring on a plane?

A guide to what you can and can't bring in to the country​​​​​​.​ When you’re travelling overseas​ or importing items, you need to know that some items can’t be brought back with you and for others you need to get permission.

​ There are limits on how much powders, liquids, aerosols and gels you can carry onto an airplane. If in doubt, pack these items in your checked-in bags.

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• Entertainment

Olivia Rodrigo announces Guts tour dates in Melbourne and Sydney

A Grammy award-winning artist has dropped her first-ever concerts in Australia, with tickets on sale next week.

Taylor overhauls Eras Tour with new set

Why Aussie DJ postponed New York shows

‘He sat there with his middle finger up at me’

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Olivia Rodrigo has announced her first-ever run of shows in Australia.

The “Vampire” singer added nine new international dates to her highly celebrated Guts world tour, including two nights each in Melbourne and Sydney.

Rodrigo will chart her way through Asia, including Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore, before heading south to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on October 9 and 10, then up to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on October 17 and 18.

New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee will open all four shows.

Rodrigo’s tour supports her second critically acclaimed studio album, Guts, which was released in September and earnt her six Grammy-award nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

For her first arena tour to date, she has filled out some of the world’s most famous venues, including Madison Square Garden in New York and The O2 in London.

Tickets for the newly added Australia dates will go on sale first to American Express card members in the coming days who will be able to get first dibs on tickets while supplies last.

Live Nation will then host their pre-sale on Wednesday, May 15 at 1pm (AEST), with fans told to sign up for access before the sale.

VIP packages and experiences are available to fans who want to take their concert experience to the next level.

A limited number of $20 Silver Star tickets have been made available for all shows, with Rodrigo saying she wanted to make it as affordable as possible for her fans.

There is a limit of two tickets per person, with seat locations to be revealed on the day of the concert.

A portion of Rodrigo’s proceeds from ticket sales will go to Olivia Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good, which funds initiatives that support girls’ education, reproductive rights and prevents gender-based violence.

Taylor Swift has refreshed the European leg of her blockbuster Eras Tour with dazzling new outfits and an entirely new set.

A popular Aussie DJ with almost two million Instagram followers has shared the reason for postponing two shows in New York.

Em Rusciano was shocked when a famous singer made an offensive gesture towards her in the middle of an interview.

NSW COVID-19 restrictions are changing for vaccinated and unvaccinated people today — this is what you need to know

More COVID-19 restrictions in NSW are being eased today, and, for the first time since June, unvaccinated people are being given significant freedoms too.

The rules around masks and QR codes have been relaxed, as have the requirements for close contacts to isolate for seven days.

It's been about 21 months since NSW was first plunged into lockdown in response to the global spread of COVID-19.

The state was again subjected to stay-at-home orders at the end of June this year in response to a Delta outbreak.

But high vaccination rates have now allowed Australia's most populous state to restore many freedoms not seen since March last year, despite rising COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Omicron strain.

Here's what is changing today.

What has changed today?

A number of changes come into effect today for people in NSW, regardless of vaccination status. 

From today there is no limit to the number of people allowed in your home, at outdoor public gatherings and at hospitality venues.

Masks, while still strongly encouraged where social distancing isn't possible, have been dropped as a requirement in most indoor settings including in shops. 

There is also good news for people who have had trouble booking appointments for personal services, such as hairdressers and beauty salons.

From today, businesses like these will have no density limits.

The 20-person cap for exercise and dance classes has been lifted and there are no density limits for gyms, indoor recreations and sporting facilities.

Community sports events with over 1,000 attendees will no longer require a COVID-19 safety plan.

There are no longer any travel restrictions for people in Greater Sydney or in regional NSW and carpooling is now permitted for unvaccinated people.

Less isolation time

From today, fewer people will be forced into isolation after exposure to a positive case.

Close contacts will also no longer have to isolate for 7 days — they will only be required to have a PCR test, and wait for a negative result.

If you live in the same household as someone who is COVID-19 positive, you will still need to get a test and isolate for seven days, regardless of the result.

If you regularly attend a household where someone has tested positive for COVID-19 — for example, you are dating someone and often visit them — you must also get a test and isolate for seven days.

In some other high-risk settings, like superspreader transmission events, NSW Health may specifically order some people who are not household contacts of confirmed cases to isolate for seven days.

It's a substantial change from previous guidelines, which have sent entire venues full of people into isolation because they have been in an indoor setting with a COVID-19 patient for more than 15 minutes.

What restrictions still apply?

Masks will still be required on public transport and planes, at airports and for indoor front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated.

Check-ins with QR codes will still be required for hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funeral or memorial services, personal services, sex services, pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs and strip clubs.

Music festivals will be able to reopen with a 20,000 person limit and proof of vaccination will still be required for indoor music festivals with over 1,000 people and cruises with over 100 passengers.

International travellers who are not fully vaccinated will still need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival.

What's changed for the unvaccinated?

Those who have not been vaccinated have been living under strict COVID rules while the rest of the state enjoyed greater freedoms since October.

Unvaccinated people will now have the same freedoms as vaccinated people.

The unvaccinated were supposed to receive additional freedoms on December 1, but the NSW government last month delayed this by two weeks and effectively kept them in lockdown.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard yesterday urged people who still were not vaccinated to stop being "selfish" and get the jab.

How much of NSW is vaccinated?

Across NSW, 94.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.2 per cent are fully vaccinated. 

It took just 12 days for NSW to go from 70 per cent to 80 per cent fully vaccinated, and 23 days to get from 80 per cent to 90 per cent.

In contrast, it has taken 30 days to get from 90 per cent to 93 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

Mr Hazzard said his main fear was people not understanding the importance of getting a booster shot with the number of COVID cases rising.

"For heaven's sake, go and get your booster," he said.

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