“I can announce today that last night the Health Minister signed off on the fact that from the 1st of November, Australians who are double vaccinated will be able to travel overseas,” he told the Seven Network.
Australia shut its border on March 20, 2020, with citizens and permanent residents needing government-granted exemptions to leave the country.
Morrison attributed the new change to the high vaccination rates across the country.
“Australia’s first dose vaccination rate is now higher than the United Kingdom, so well done, Australia!”
As of Oct. 26, 74.1 percent of Australians over 16 are fully vaccinated, with 87.1 percent having had one dose.
“We want Australians to be able to reunite with their loved ones, whether it’s for births, weddings, or just to visit family,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
The prime minister also confirmed that a quarantine-free travel bubble with Singapore would resume on Nov. 8.
“We are very close now to the reciprocal arrangements with Singapore.”
People leaving Australia need to prove that they are fully vaccinated with an approved or recognised vaccine, while the second dose needs to be taken at least one week before travelling.
Those who are not vaccinated will still need exemptions for international travel.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has previously said he is “very on board with” getting cruising back.
“We are very open to doing that and working with the Federal Government to bring back cruising. I know the Prime Minister is incredibly passionate about doing that as well,” Perrottet said.
People in the cruise industry are hopeful that cruising, a highly popular experience in Australia, can restart next year.