MNI BRIEF: Australia Set For November Re-Opening

Australia on Friday brought forward its plans for international opening by one month and vaccinated Australians will be able to travel overseas from November, when current limits on international arrivals will also be removed.

The decision was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said that vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents returning to Australia will be able to quarantine at home for seven days, while those who are unvaccinated will be required to quarantine at designated hotels for 14 days.

The change was triggered by the pace of the vaccination rollout, with the restrictions to be eased when 80% of the population is double vaccinated. The actual date for the re-opening is yet to be decided and the states will open one by one depending on vaccination levels, with New South Wales likely to be the first to hit the 80% target.

The decision fits with the Reserve Bank of Australia's view the economic recovery has been "delayed but not derailed" and the economy will bounce back strongly next year. The RBA's next meeting is next Tuesday.