Federal tourism minister predicts international travel to resume ‘before Christmas’

The federal government says an increased rate of COVID-19 vaccinations means they believe international travel will resume earlier than previously expected.

Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan says he now expects international borders to be open by Christmas at the very latest.

“People are getting vaccinated, which is fantastic, and those vaccination rates continue to climb,” he told Stephen Quatermain and Emily Power on 3AW Breakfast.

“We’re confident we will hit 50 per cent of all Australians doubly vaccinated this week, and we’re also hitting rates towards that 80 per cent single dose, so it’s fantastic news.

“And it means we’ll be able to get that international travel starting again before Christmas.”

The minister said a plan on how travel post-pandemic will look is being worked out.

“Already we’ve sent out to all our overseas embassies that QR technology that will show you are vaccinated,” he said.

“And we’re making sure that will be inter-operable with the systems in our major markets where Australians like to travel and where we like to welcome international visitors from.”

Press PLAY to hear more below 

Image: iStock by Getty