Australia to pilot vaccine passports as part of preparations for post-Covid border reopening

Australians are being encouraged to 'get their passports ready' after the federal government announced a trial of vaccine passports with several countries this week, marking a key step in Australia's plan to reopen to international travel.

After nearly 18 months of closed borders to combat Covid-19, Australia is now on track to ease travel restrictions, with vaccination rates soaring. The country could soon reopen its doors to international visitors.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stated that once 80% of Australia's adult population is fully vaccinated, citizens will be allowed to travel abroad once again.

As part of reopening efforts, Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan announced on Sunday that the government would begin testing vaccine passports with key travel destinations through Australia's diplomatic channels overseas.

Countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, and Australia’s Pacific neighbors have been identified for the vaccine passport trial. Tehan explained that the initiative will use a QR code linked to official passports to verify vaccination status for both outbound and inbound travelers.

Tehan emphasized on Sunday that the goal is to be fully prepared when international borders reopen, ensuring that travelers can resume their journeys with confidence. 'It’s crucial that we do this groundwork,' he said.

For inbound travelers who have been vaccinated abroad, their shots must be from a list of vaccines approved by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which currently includes Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Janssen Cilag, Tehan clarified.

Vaccines developed in Russia or China have not been authorized by Australia’s TGA for entry purposes.

Australia’s efforts to relax international travel restrictions come amid a surge in Delta variant cases, which have led to widespread lockdowns in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.

Australia is expected to reach the 80% vaccination milestone for its adult population by the end of November. As of September 12, 42.3% of Australian adults were fully vaccinated.

Prime Minister Morrison expressed hopes that once borders reopen, incoming travelers will be allowed to quarantine at home instead of the current hotel quarantine system.

A potential challenge, however, is the lack of available seats on international flights. The airport industry has raised concerns that airlines will require more preparation and direction to resume flights to and from Australia, according to local media reports.

Tehan mentioned on Sunday that the government is collaborating with airlines to prepare for the reopening. Qantas has already announced plans to restart international flights next month, though it will operate fewer flights on each route.

In an interview with Dinogo affiliate 7 News, Karl Schubert from Singapore Airlines stated that he had not received the level of engagement from the Australian government that he had hoped for.

He emphasized that governments, stakeholders, airports, and airlines need to come together, sit down, and have a meaningful discussion about what the reopening of Australia's borders will actually entail.