Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday that the country will open its borders to fully vaccinated tourists from February 21. The reopening of Australia’s borders to international tourists is set to end after a nearly two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). ) epidemic, one of the longest-running pandemic travel restrictions in the world.

“It’s been almost two years since we decided to close our borders with Australia,” Morrison told reporters. “Australia will reopen its borders to all remaining visa holders on February 21 this year.”

“The condition is you have to be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That’s the rule. Everyone should follow it,” he added.

However, states will continue to be able to set their own quarantine rules.

Australia will seek to boost its tourism industry by ending border restrictions on fully vaccinated foreign tourists. Australia’s hospitality industry has been hit hard by coronavirus-induced border restrictions and lockdowns, which have been repeatedly extended in light of new variants of concerns.

Australia’s tourism industry has been hit hard, with annual revenue of more than $84.9 billion before the pandemic, according to Tourism Australia. In the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, annual revenue for the travel industry plunged 41%.

Australia and New Zealand had to suspend the trans-Tasman travel bubble after the highly contagious delta variant emerged. The variant prompted authorities to cancel major events in Australia. Border restrictions continued to be in effect, while the Omicron variant quickly spread around the world. Authorities are gradually easing restrictions as hospitalizations and intensive care numbers continue to decline in much of the country.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times