The Australian government has included parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents in the definition of immediate family.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday that parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents would be classified as immediate family.
“I know that will be very welcome news to Australians right across the country who were hoping to be reunited with their family members, their parents who are overseas,” he told reporters.
“Now, in New South Wales’ case, that means that those family members will be able to come into Sydney if they are vaccinated and not have to quarantine, under the arrangements that the Premier has announced today. So, that is a welcome step forward,” he added.
According to the travel restrictions during the pandemic, only Australian citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members can enter Australia. However, parents are not considered immediate family members.
Thousands of people had been campaigning to change the definition.
A petition (Petition EN2535 – Exemption for parents of Australians and Permanent Residents) to the government of Australia demanded to add parents as an exemption category.
