As the NSW border re-opens, international travellers have arrived at Sydney airport. This is a significant day in the state’s COVID-19 response.
Before dawn on Monday, the first overseas flight touched down at Kingsford Smith Airport.
The airport gates witnessed emotional reunions marking the return of international travel after 590 days.
The new change means that fully vaccinated passengers don’t need to quarantine in a hospital or at home. This will allow Australians who have been left behind to return home for Christmas.
As the NSW border re-opens, international travellers have arrived at Sydney airport. This is a significant day in the state’s COVID-19 response.
Kingsford Smith Airport was the first to receive an overseas flight before sunrise on Monday
Those who have been fully jabbed in NSW can travel freely between Greater Sydney, the regions, and other areas starting Monday.
Families will be reunited for the first time since months thanks to the lifting of restrictions on intrastate travel. This also marks the return to regional tourism.
Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Sunday that grandparents would be able to visit their grandchildren for the first-time in a long while.
He believes it is safe to allow Sydneysiders into the rest of the state. Double-dose vaccination coverage is now close to 88 percent.
The estimated increase in consumer spending due to the opening of the borders is $1billion per week.
As of Saturday, 83.6 % of eligible NSW residents aged 16 and older had received their first doses.
Monday will also see the state’s vaccine boost program open to adults who had their second jab six or more months ago.
The change means that fully vaccinated passengers don’t need to quarantine at home or in a hotel. This will allow Australians who are stranded overseas to return home for Christmas.
The state will have pharmacies, GP clinics, and state-run hubs that sell Pfizer prescriptions.
Nationally, quick antigen tests are also available on Monday.
These changes come as NSW continues seeing virus case numbers and hospitalisations drop, after lockdown rules were eased three weeks ago.
COVID-19 was diagnosed in 177 individuals in the 24 hour period ending on Saturday at 8pm. This is 59 less than the day before, and the lowest daily total for more than three months.
Currently, there are 340 people in hospitals with the virus. Among them, 78 are in intensive medical care.
One death was announced Sunday: a 70-year-old woman from southwestern Sydney who was not vaccinated.