As he convenes an extraordinary national cabinet meeting to examine the omicron variant, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has disclosed that he is rethinking welcoming skilled migrants and international students into Australia on Dec. 1.
“In the light of all the new information” about omicron, the prime minister is contemplating the relaxing of border restrictions on the given date for visa holders.
Key Takeaways:
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the Dec. 1 deadline for skilled migrants and international students entering Australia is being reconsidered.
- The reconsideration is in the light of all the new information about the omicron variant.
- In reaction to the WHO’s identification of omicron as a variation of concern, the Australian government announced new restrictions over the weekend.
It has been revealed overnight that two passengers arriving in Sydney from southern Africa had tested positive for the new coronavirus variant.
The Australian government announced further measures over the weekend in response to the World Health Organization’s designation of omicron as a variant of concern.
Flights into Australia from nine African nations have been banned, and all international arrivals in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria will be required to be tested and isolated for 72 hours.
It can be recalled that last week’s announcement allows fully vaccinated eligible visa holders to travel to Australia without the requirement to request a travel exemption beginning Dec. 1.
Skilled and student visa holders, as well as humanitarian, working holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders, are all eligible under this announcement.
Under these arrangements, travelers must be completely vaccinated with a complete dose of a vaccine approved or recognized by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under these conditions.
They must also have a valid visa for one of the qualifying visa subclasses, show proof of vaccination, and pass a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within three days of departure. MSM Unify is your one-stop source platform that connects students, higher education institutions, and agents in Australia and worldwide. Sign up now to get the latest updates and information on international education.