Australia reopens to a vibrant lifestyle

Vaccinated Australian permanent residents and citizens from today are free to travel overseas without the need for a permit. When they return to NSW or Victoria, they need no quarantine if they have negative Covid-19 tests done within 72 hours before their arrival. People can download an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate at Service Australia as proof of the vaccination status. Different states may have different quarantine procedures after arrival. Practically Australia is now open to the world for all Australians and permanent residents.

Yes, after 600 days of locking up its border, Australians need to reconnect to the world. It may take a bit longer for temporary residents or visitors to be allowed to Australia. With over 77.5 16+ Australians fully vaccinated, the federal government is confident that Australia is now safe to re-open.

It is important to note that CALD Australians suffer more during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many CALD migrants cannot visit their overseas family members nor are their relatives allowed to come to visit them. They have little emotional support. Covid-19 information takes a long time to reach CALD communities. Just released research suggested that CALD migrants are more than twice at higher risk than locally born Australians to die during this pandemic.

The Australian government cannot continue to pretend that all Australians are being treated equally. Migrants need their family members overseas to give them more emotional support. The reopening of Australia allows them to visit their beloved ones. The air travel between Australia and other countries can go back to normal when people can be allowed to travel. Overseas students, visitors and others will be allowed to come to Australia soon. It is hoped that Australia will become more vibrant as before.

BlessingCALD has supported migrants by providing up-to-date and important Covid-19 information. In future, we shall add more content that will help our readers to explore Australia like food and dining, travel, multicultural festivals, lifestyle and others. It is hoped that our readers will be blessed in their life as Australians.

Raymond Chow

Publisher, BlessingCALD