NSW saw the lowest number of locally acquired COVID cases in more than three months after international and regional travel restrictions were lifted.
Qantas flight QF1 took off from Sydney late on Monday and headed to London via Darwin carrying vaccinated Australians.
Some flights also landed from Sydney International Airport from the US, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Hong Kong, Fiji, and Dubai on the first day of quarantine-free travel for vaccinated citizens, permanent residents as well as their immediate family members.
Singaporean travelers will be permitted to return to Australia in the form of a travel bubble starting November 21.
Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Peter Shelley said the travel agreements between Australia and Singapore would be “the first step in getting our tourism businesses back to providing amazing experiences for international visitors.
Travel restrictions between Greater Sydney to regional areas were lifted on Monday. NSW Minister Dominic Perrottet was among those going to the regional areas.
He went to the Dubbo Western Plains Zoo to deliver an encouraging message to state residents contemplating their summer getaways.
“Don’t go interstate – come out to regional NSW and enjoy the best the state has to offer,” Mr. Perrottet told the media.
He added that the impact of regional travel on the state’s confidence is “really going to drive our economy.”
Regional travel was delayed by two weeks because of concerns about lower vaccination rates compared to Greater Sydney.
Vice-Premier Deputy Paul Toole said 82 percent of residents in regional NSW getting fully vaccinated is an “exceptional result.”
NSW is happy with its impressive rate of vaccination in addition, and “there’s no reason we can’t reach 95 percent to help ensure we get on top of this pandemic,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
Lifting restrictions has also led the emergency services to issue a warning for motorists to be cautious following the death of a 76-year-old in a crash between a vehicle and a truck within the Blue Mountains.
Fire and Rescue NSW also warned those traveling to the region to camp or go on caravan parks to practice safe fire-fighting and be aware as the bushfire season gets closer.
The restrictions will be lifted for those who have not been vaccinated next month.
This morning, NSW saw its lowest number of locally-sourced incidents since June, recording 135 cases and four deaths.
A gentleman in his 70s and woman aged 101 who contracted the virus in the Albury Mercy Place aged care home, and a man of his late 60s, who caught the virus in Parklea jail, were among the victims.
The supermarket chain Woolworths has started to send its pre-ordered, at-home quick antigen kits before they go on sale in the Woolworths stores beginning on Wednesday.
Albury, situated close to an island bordering Victoria and Redfern in inner Sydney, has shown the highest demand for testing kits.
Customers are limited to 10 self-test kits, which sell in packs of two and five for $30 and $50.
Did you hear? With travel restrictions lifted, you can experience Japan, Singapore, and the US in NSW. Let’s pack our silly bags!