MELBOURNE (Reuters – Australia has relaxed international border restrictions Monday. Some of Australia’s vaccinated citizens can travel without restriction and families are able to reunite as a result.

14 million Australians are free to travel after 18 months of some the most stringent coronavirus borders policies in the world. These restrictions prohibited citizens from returning into and leaving the country unless they were granted an exemption.

These two states, plus the capital territory have more than 80 percent of the population who are 16 years or older. This is a prerequisite for international travel.

Australians living overseas may also be able to return home, as foreign ministry data shows that 47,000 are attempting this.

Although most tourists, even those who have been vaccinated, will need to wait until Monday for entry, New Zealanders with valid vaccinations will be permitted in the country starting on Monday.

At 6:15 a.m. Qantas’ flight from Los Angeles will land in Sydney. This is the first time in many months that vaccinated Australians can leave a plane unassisted.

Quarantine restrictions will continue to apply for unvaccinated travelers. Before boarding, all passengers must provide proof of negative COVID-19 testing.

Australia closed its borders during the pandemic. Only a few permanent residents and citizens were allowed to return from the country.

However, as the country has shifted from a COVID zero pandemic management strategy to living with the virus via extensive vaccinations and a COVID-zero Pandemic Management Strategy, it is slowly reopening its borders.

Although the Delta epidemic kept Sydney and Melbourne locked down for many months, Australia’s COVID-19 case numbers are much lower than those of comparable countries. They have just slightly over 170 500 infections and 1,735 fatalities.

More than 77% of Australians who are eligible have had their vaccines completed and 88% have taken their first dose.