SYDNEY – Australia to fully reopen its borders to all vaccinated visa holders from Feb. 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday (Feb 7).
Australia closed the border in March 2020 but began allowing skilled migrants, international students and backpackers to enter the country in December.
“If you’re double-vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia,” Morrison said during a media briefing in Canberra.
The relaxation of border rules will be a boost for airlines, hotels and other tourism businesses – the sectors worst affected by lockdowns and other tough curbs.
Strict border controls and snap lockdowns had helped Australia to keep its coronavirus numbers far lower than many comparable countries, but cases have hit record highs in recent weeks fuelled by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
Morrison adopted a ‘push through’ approach to dealing with Omicron that saw him rule out lockdowns and tough restrictions ahead of a federal election due before May.
