The federal government’s blanket ‘Do not travel’ advisory warning for Australians not to leave the country has been lifted, days before the opening of international borders.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) changing advice on the Smart Traveller’s website offers certainty to travellers for the months to come.
The warning had been in place since March 2020 when borders had been slammed shut in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, DFAT and Smart Traveller are in the process of updating the risk levels of 177 international destinations, including Greece, based on COVID-19 and other safety concerns.
Smart Traveller advises that there will be no Level 1 countries. “At this stage, no destination will be set lower than Level 2 ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19,” the Smart Traveller website states. Level 1 and Level 2 warnings are usually covered by travel insurance, however Level 3 countries vary.
On Wednesday, the federal government confirmed that fully vaccinated Australian citizens will no longer need approval from the Department of Home Affairs to leave the country.
This marks the start of Australia’s long-awaited border reopening process.
On Monday, international travel slowly become reality once NSW, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory drop requirements for fully vaccinated travellers to quarantine in hotels upon arrival.
The updated advice will offer greater clarity to travellers hoping to travel again.
Singapore’s category was updated from Level 4 to Level 2 this morning.