ACT residents will be able to travel to most of Australia at the end of this month as Tasmania announced plans to reopen its borders.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announced the state had planned to open its borders to "COVID-safe and low risk" jurisdictions from October 26.
These included the ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. NSW has also been considered, with Mr Gutwein saying travel prospects for the state looked "very promising".
"I can confirm based on advice from state control and the public advice our plan is to reopen our borders to safe and low-risk COVID states from the 26th of October," he said.
"Low risk states are determined on a number of factors including the period of time in which they have gone with low or no numbers of cases and a lack of community tranmission."
It came after it was announced earlier this week direct flights between Canberra and Hobart were set to start in December under a new deal between Canberra Airport and Link Airways.
Mr Gutwein said airlines had to work on providing direct flights from as many Australian cities as possible. Many flights to Tasmania include a stop-over at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport.
"The date of October 26 will give Tasmanians certainty as they plan for the end of the year but also provide a date for our airlines to work to ensure we have access to our state particularly through as many direct routes as possible which don't rely on commuting via Tullamarine," he said.
Link Airways is set to offer four return flights between Canberra and Hobart a week, which would kick off in December.
If the demand is there, the number of flights could increase to 11 a week.
"Detailed research has identified a strong demand for direct flights between Canberra and Hobart," Link chief executive Andrew Major said.
It had been indicated that if Tasmania lifted its restrictions earlier, the Link Airways service could start earlier.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said: "I welcome the news that common sense has prevailed".
"This will be welcome news to Canberrans that haven't been able to visit family and friends for a number of months."
Mr Barr was confident there would be further direct links between Canberra and Hobart.
"This comes a few days after the announcement of Link Airways direct flights to Hobart starting in December. I'm sure other airlines will follow this example and add direct links for Canberrans travelling to Tasmania," he said.
In recent weeks, South Australia and Queensland both opened their borders to ACT residents.
By the end of the month, ACT residents will be permitted to travel to every state and territory besides Western Australia. As well, Canberrans can travel to Victoria but are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return to the nation's capital.
