Some of the world’s longest and toughest pandemic-induced border curbs are finally being eased, with Asia-Pacific countries taking their firmest steps yet toward reopening to international travel in recent days.
From Singapore to Sydney, Bali to Bangkok, authorities have announced a flurry of plans to welcome vaccinated travelers by drastically reducing or completely removing quarantine requirements in place for most of the pandemic. For these places, the easing is a significant shift toward opening up just as the traditional year-end holiday season approaches.
"For double-vaccinated people around the world, Sydney, New South Wales is open for business,” state Premier Dominic Perrottet said Friday, as Australia’s most populous state announced it will waive the 14-day quarantine for travelers from November — though the federal government later clarified it would be limited to residents. "We want people back.”
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