Australia’s borders will reopen to tourists on February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday, putting an end to some of the world’s strictest and long-running pandemic travel restrictions after nearly two years.
“It’s almost two years since we made the decision to close the borders to Australia,” Morrison said following a national security cabinet meeting.
However, depending on the rules in the state or territory where they arrive, arrivals may still be subject to a mandatory quarantine period.
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“The national cabinet has decided that Australia will reopen our borders to all remaining visa holders on February 21,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
Double vaccination made compulsory
It has been made mandatory that whoever wants to come to Australia would need to be double vaccinated.
Travellers who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 must apply for a travel exemption in order to enter Australia.
In December of last year, border restrictions were relaxed for international students and some visa holders, prompting calls from the tourism industry for travellers to be allowed in.
“I know the tourism industry is looking forward to that, and over the next two weeks, they’ll have the opportunity both for visitors to come and for them to gear up,” Morrison stated.
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Australia’s borders were closed in March 2020 in the hope of protecting the island continent from a surging global pandemic.
For the majority of the time since then, Australians have been barred from leaving, and only a few visitors have been granted entry exemptions.
Almost all remaining limitations will be lifted as a result of the recent decision.
Current Covid-19 situation in Australia
On Monday, Australia reported more than 20,000 new Covidd-19 infections and more than 40 deaths.
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According to the Department of Health, there were 4,147 cases being treated in hospitals across the country, with 286 being treated in intensive care units.
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