India Travel Will Be Possible Soon
The Department of Health’s latest data shows about 78% of the eligible Australian population has received their first vaccine dose, and about 54% are now fully vaccinated. This is good news, especially as the Prime Minister assured the Indian diaspora that fully vaccinated citizens and residents could travel to India later this year.
The Prime Minister said the national plan provides for fully vaccinated residents to be able to go and come back from India and have a modified form of quarantine where necessary. Current home quarantine trials appear to be the scalable and safest way forward, currently being rolled out in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. This news has been met with applause by the Indian community. However, Shanti Reddy, the President of the Federation of Indian Associations, believes the Indian diaspora wants to visit India without quarantine in hotels upon their return.
When Australia opens for international travel, the government has set three targets. First, Australians around the world will be able to come home if they are vaccinated and not be subject to any caps at airports. Second, opening the skilled migration program up as soon as possible. Third, the return of international students. While Covid has taught us that nothing is guaranteed, there is an air of optimism across all sectors of society that the dark days are now behind us. We look forward to walking through airport Arrival Gates to be reunited with loved ones very soon.
