Countries have taken advantage of the pandemic to implement oppressive policies that keep its citizens controlled and the government privy to their every move.
And it’s messing up our travel plans!!
Australia has long been a dream destination for the travel enthusiast, but now, unless you are willing to play ball with their vaccination demands, you won’t be encountering that kangaroo in the wild or gawk at the Sydney Opera House for a long time – maybe never!
“The United Kingdom and the U.S. are among the countries to be included in Australia’s vaccine passport trial,” Travel and Leisure reported.
Since March of 2020, anyone who was not a native of Australia or a resident of the Land Down Under was restricted from entering its borders.
Now Australia has decided to reopen their amazing and biodiverse country up to everyone, with the government telling travelers to “dust off your passports,” according to Reuters.
Well – so long as you’re willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine that is.
If you’re one of the individuals exercising your right to refuse the vaccine or cannot get it because of other reasons, then you’re forced to miss out on the Australian outback.
However, this revelation is not new for Australia.
Back when the borders were originally closed, Australia’s Qantas Airline CEO Alan Joyce said he was working on implementing a policy that would permit only fully-vaccinated individuals on his aircrafts.
But the Aussie government has been holding their citizens hostage as well – not allowing them to come and go as they choose, believing they are incapable of calculating their own risks.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a press conference that he will allow his people to travel overseas when – and only when – 80% of Australia’s adult population has received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Morrison is seemingly confident that enough of the population will succumb to his “recommendations,” even though only 42.4% are currently vaccinated and major protests are occurring all throughout Australia.
I guess when you’re banned from seeing loved ones abroad or taking a family vacation, citizens are more likely to give in.
Being vaccinated will not, however, make one exempt from the quarantine period upon returning from international travel, confirms Minister of Trade and Tourism Dan Tehan to CNN.
So don’t bank on any special treatment because you’ve received all the recommended doses of an approved vaccine.
The country’s grand re-opening will entail vaccine passports that will prove vaccination status as well as a QR code attached to the resident’s real passport.
Australia used to be known for being home to 8 out of the 10 most dangerous animals in the world, but now Australia’s tyrannical government might be the most dangerous of all.
So if you do decide to check out Sydney’s famous Royal Botanical Garden or Daintree Rainforest, be sure to also check out the latest COVID-19 mandates – or else be at the mercy of a government that does not care about your personal freedoms.