Australia’s Fully Vaccinated Rates Increase as State Borders Slowly Open

There are signs that American travelers will soon be able to resume those dream trips to Australia next year. We’re low-key excited, but cautiously optimistic. Things seem to be moving in a positive direction after Victoria, a state in Australia, plans to open its borders to its citizens, residents, and their family members on Nov. 1. 

“There will no longer be a cap on fully vaccinated returning Australians wishing to enter Victoria, and the opening of our borders to Victorians coming home will reunite families and friends and boost our vaccinated economy,” said State Premier Daniel Andrews in a statement. 

Just last week, CNN reported that fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be next, but there isn’t a specific date yet. The good news is that Melbourne, Victoria’s state capital, lifted its 260-day lockdown last week. Melbourne finally ended its 260-day lockdown on Oct. 21 with more than 70% of the state’s adults vaccinated against COVID-19. 

North of Victoria, the state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, has an 85.5% vaccination rate and 93% of the people in the state have received at least one shot.   

Currently, Australia has a 75% vaccination rate with 15.2 million people fully vaccinated. In Western Australia, they’ve seen fewer coronavirus cases and deaths than the rest of the country, so government officials and residents are more hesitant about opening its borders even to their fellow Aussies in other states.  

We’re still keeping hope alive that things will continue to get better just in time for all of us to celebrate and travel safely to converge on Sydney for World Pride 2023!