Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21

By: 3 years ago

Tourists take in the view at a Three Sisters rock formation lookout in Blue Mountains National Park in the wake of regional travel re-opening as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions are eased in New South Wales, in Katoomba, Australia, June 5, 2020. REUTERS FILE PHOTO:

SYDNEY 鈥� Australia will reopen its borders to tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Monday, ending some of the world鈥檚 strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions.

鈥淚t鈥檚 almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia,鈥� Morrison said after a meeting of the national security cabinet.

He announced the borders will reopen to all visa holders 鈥渙n the 21st of February of this year,鈥� adding, 鈥渋f you鈥檙e double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia.鈥�

Australia鈥檚 borders slammed shut in March 2020 in the hope of protecting the island continent against a surging global pandemic.

For most of the time since then, Australians have been barred from leaving and only a handful of visitors have been granted exemptions to enter.

The rules have stranded nationals overseas, split families, hammered the country鈥檚 multi-billion-dollar tourist industry, and prompted often bitter debates about Australia鈥檚 status as a modern, open and outward-looking nation.

Every month of border closures has cost businesses an estimated US$2.6 billion, according to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In recent months, rules have been gradually relaxed for Australians, long-term residents and students.

The latest decision will see almost all remaining caps lifted.

It comes after the country鈥檚 long-standing 鈥淐ovid-zero鈥� policy was abandoned, vaccination rates rose and the once stellar track-and-trace system collapsed under a wave of Omicron cases.

Only a handful of countries remain closed to tourists 鈥� among them Japan, China, New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations.

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For Australia鈥檚 travel and tourism sector 鈥� which struggled as visitor numbers fell almost 98 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels 鈥� the news brought elation.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited about being able to reopen,鈥� said Tony Walker, managing director of the Quicksilver Group, which operates cruises, diving and resorts across the Great Barrier Reef.

鈥淭he last couple of years have been incredibly difficult for us,鈥� he told AFP, urging people overseas to 鈥渃ome visit鈥�.

During the pandemic the firm went from 650 employees down to the 300 it has today.

Walker said he expected 鈥渋t will take some time to recover鈥� from the past two years.

Many tourism operators around Australia are experiencing staff shortages, given how few backpackers and working holidaymakers are coming to Australia.

Despite the announcement, travel within Australia will still be restricted.

The vast state of Western Australia remains closed to most non-residents. It is currently easier to travel from Sydney to Paris than Sydney to Perth.

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