The Australian government has said the country could start reopening and reducing restrictions once enough of the population is fully vaccinated. Despite concerns from some states about the impact of an increase in the number of cases in Sydney, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday August 23 that the country must start learning to live with COVID-19 when Australian vaccination rates will meet their targets, Reuters reported.

Australia is currently struggling with the highly transmissible Delta variant which has resulted in lockdowns lasting several weeks. New Zealand is also battling the Delta strain, which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said had comes from the Sydney epidemic. During a televised press conference in Canberra, Morrison was quoted by Reuters: “(The blockages) cannot last forever. It is not a sustainable way to live in this country. He added, “This Groundhog Day has to end, and it will end when we start to reach 70% and 80% (vaccination rate).”

Australia is not expected to reach the 80% full vaccination rate until December, according to the report. When immunization coverage reaches 80%, only “highly targeted lockdowns” would be needed and vaccinated Australians would be free to travel between states.

Separately, while there is still no official timeline for the start of the pilot programs – which would allow international students to return to Australia – Education Minister Alan Tudge has previously said efforts are being made. to put in place pilot plans to facilitate their return to Australia. . Australian vaccination rates, however, would play a critical role.

Vaccination rate in Australia: what students need to know

At the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Summit on August 16, Tudge said vaccination rates in Australia continued to rise, as did their ability to welcome international students again. Once Australia’s vaccination rates reach 70%, this will bring the country into the transition phase where they can allow a greater number of capped entries for holders of a student visa, subject to quarantine and availability provisions.

“When our borders begin to open, I have no doubts that students will return in large numbers. The international student experience data I recently published supports this finding, showing that 91% rated their overall life experience in Australia very well, ”he said.

When international students return to Australia, Tudge said the country should ensure greater diversity, better alignment with skill shortages and ensure that the student experience for international and Australian students is maximized, Tudge added.

Australia travel for international students: what we know so far

Along with Australia’s vaccination rates playing a role, here’s what international students need to know about the state of the pilot plans:

NSW Pilot Plan

In July, New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian previously said the state was suspend his pilot plan to facilitate the return of international students to Australia while the state remains blocked. According to Reuters, on Monday, NSW reported 818 cases, most in Sydney, down slightly from the record high of 830 a day earlier.

Berejiklian urged people to focus less on cases and more on rolling out vaccination. “Once you hit 80% double dose, every state will have to live with COVID. You can’t keep Delta from coming in forever, ”she said.

Victoria’s pilot plan

Victoria has recorded 71 new cases, 55 of which spent time in the community while infectious, which State Premier Daniel Andrews said could derail plans to exit lockdown on September 2 . Earlier, a state government spokesperson told SBS Punjabi that Victoria was working with the Commonwealth and education providers welcome international students when it is safe and reasonable.

South australia

South Australia has said it will be the first state to test home quarantine for people returning from other states, with an app used to find out whether people are staying at home, Reuters said. If successful, the trial would be used by some returning international travelers to ease pressure on hotel quarantine.

South Australia’s Prime Minister Steven Marshall confirmed in June that his pilot plan to bring international students back to the state had been approved by the federal government. A state government spokesperson previously told SBS Punjabi that the South Australian government is working on the logistics of the plan that meets all Australian COVID-19 health and safety protocols.