Australia to open international borders from February 21

New Delhi: The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison on Monday announced that Australia is all set to fully reopen its borders to all international visitors from February 21, as long as they are fully vaccinated.

The announcement came just hours after the government’s national security committee was briefed on the latest health advice. “If you are double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia,” Scott Morrison told media.

On the lockdown and restrictions in the country, Morrison said that “its almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia. The national cabinet has decided today Australia will reopen our borders to all remaining visa holders on February 21 of this year. We have been progressively opening our borders since November of last year. Those programs have proceeded very successfully.”

“Whether it was the programs we had in place with New Zealand or Singapore, and then with Japan and South Korea, opening up to international students and backpackers and economic migrants who are coming to Australia, that will now be extended to international visitors who will be able to return,” the prime minister added.

The travel and tourism industry has been affected at a noticeable level in Australia in the last two years and faced the loss of millions of dollars by restriction of tourists and travelers in the country. “I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that and over the next two weeks they’ll get the opportunity both for visitors to becoming and for them to be gearing up to welcome international visitors back to Australia,” the Prime Minister said.

All entrants to Australia must be double vaccinated, and adhere to state-based Covid-19 protocols when they move around the country.

(_Vinayak)