Main results of the national cabinet meeting | Blayney Chronicle

KEY POINTS OF THE NATIONAL CABINET
* Australia to reduce international arrivals by 50% due to risk of Delta variant of COVID-19
* The national cabinet agreed to a four-phase plan to move away from blockages and restrictions once enough of the population is vaccinated
* The goal is to offer vaccination to any Australian aged 16 and over by the end of the year
* The ultimate goal is to get to a position where COVID-19 is managed as an infectious disease like any other in the community
* International intake will be temporarily reduced by 50 percent by July 14
* Commonwealth to facilitate more flights to repatriate Australians, who will quarantine in Howard Springs in the Northern Territory
* Locks to be used as a last resort
* Testing of alternative quarantine options, including home quarantine for returning vaccinated travelers
* Hotel quarantine to face a second review to ensure health standards are met
* Starts once the national immunization rate reaches a certain percentage of the population (to be determined by experts within the following month)
* Relaxed restrictions for vaccinated residents and locks used only in extreme circumstances
* Inbound passenger caps have been restored to previous levels for unvaccinated travelers and more generous provisions have been introduced for vaccinated travelers
* Capped entry possible for students and economic visa holders
* Introduction of certain alternative quarantine provisions
* Deployment of vaccine reminders
* COVID-19 will be managed like any other infectious disease, with hospitalization and death rates similar to or higher than flu
* No lockdowns, large-scale reminders, no restrictions on people vaccinated and possible travel bubbles with other countries
* Uncapped arrivals of people vaccinated without quarantine, and tests for unvaccinated travelers but no quarantine if negative
Associated Australian Press