Australia to halve international arrival cap as Scott Morrison unveils four-stage Covid exit plan

Prime minister says it may take until 2022 before moving to next phase, which would see focus on reducing hospitalisations rather than coronavirus cases

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The number of international flight arrivals into Australia will be halved nationwide in a blow to Australians stranded abroad, while Scott Morrison attempts to reassure the public that the federal government is working with states and territories on a plan out of the Covid crisis.

The prime minister called on Australians to get vaccinated" in order to change how we live as a country" - but he indicated it might take until next year to reach the next stage of the four-stage opening-up plan.