Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has blocked NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s plan for NSW “open to the world”.
Aiming to accelerate the reopening of the NSW economy, Premier Perrottet announced yesterday that fully vaccinated arrivals into Sydney wouldn’t need to isolate in hotel quarantine from 1st November - provided that they were fully vaccinated and had negative COVID test result prior to departure and on arrival.
However, as of late yesterday, Prime Minister Morrison, while welcoming the NSW Government's move to scrap quarantine, clarified that the policy shift would only apply to Australian citizens, residents and their immediate families and would not extend to international tourists.
Prime Minister Morrison advised “I want to stress that, for the other states and territories and I have advised the premiers and chief ministers to this end, it is about Australian residents and citizens first.
“The Commonwealth Government has made no decision to allow other visa holders ... to come to Australia under these arrangements.
“They are decisions for the Commonwealth Government and when we are in a position to make that decision down the track, obviously in New South Wales, they will be able to do so if they are vaccinated without having to quarantine.”
Asked whether Premier Perrottet had moved to fast in suggesting tourists and international travellers would be allowed in, Prime Minister Morrison highlighted that such a decision was the responsibility of the Federal Government, adding “this is a further sign of the national plan coming into effect and allowing Australians to start reclaiming so many of the things that have been taken from them throughout this pandemic.”
As of Thursday, 66.3% of Australians aged 16 and over had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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