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Panoramic view of Sydney: "We are very happy to be able to open again"
Photo: Prasit photo / Getty Images
Australia has kept its borders closed for almost two years because of the pandemic.
But that will soon be over.
From February 21, the country of 25 million people wants to allow tourists who are doubly immunized against the corona virus to travel again.
"If you are doubly vaccinated then we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said to potential holidaymakers on Monday.
His statement shows whether accompanying children are also affected.
In connection with travel, children under the age of twelve have so far been put on an equal footing with vaccinated people - regardless of their individual vaccination status.
The government had long held on to a zero-Covid policy.
However, given the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus, Morrison had to abandon it.
The dispute over the entry of the unvaccinated tennis player Novak Djokovic recently exacerbated the debate about the strict rules.
Is travel across the country possible again?
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Despite the announcement, travel within Australia remains restricted because different rules apply in the states and territories.
The state of Western Australia remains closed to most non-residents.
It is currently easier to travel from Sydney to Paris than from Sydney to Perth.
The inconsistent upper limits for international arrivals are said to remain in force.
The external borders, which have been closed since mid-March 2020, have not only made it impossible for foreign guests to come down under, but also for most of our own citizens abroad.
Gradually, the government relaxed the rules for its own citizens, for long-term stays, professionals and international students.
A travel corridor with South Korea and Japan has already been opened for fully vaccinated people.
With the recent announcement, almost all remaining restrictions are now being lifted.
What travelers need to know
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Travelers should find out in advance about the applicable quarantine regulations when entering Australia or when traveling from the point of entry to the point of destination in Australia.
The Federal Foreign Office points this out, citing the different rules within the country.
Up-to-date information for New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory can be found on this website.
"Most states and territories require a corona test within 24 hours of arrival in Australia," it says.
Rules could change at short notice.
In general, tourists must fill out the Australia Travel Declaration, an online entry form that asks for information about their health status and accessibility, no later than 72 hours before they leave their home town.
What applies to the return journey?
The Federal Foreign Office is currently warning against unnecessary tourist trips to Australia.
The country has been classified as a high-risk area by the Robert Koch Institute since January 9th.
Returning travelers must register online before arriving in Germany and carry proof of registration with them upon entry.
Since only vaccinated people will be allowed to enter Australia, they will be able to end the quarantine obligation that actually applies after their return journey.
For children under the age of six, the quarantine ends five days after entry, even without proof.
Visitor numbers collapsed by 98 percent
Australia's billion-dollar tourism industry had suffered badly from the border closures.
The number of visitors collapsed by 98 percent.
According to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, each month of border closures cost businesses an estimated $2.6 billion.
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According to Prime Minister Morrison, opening up to tourists is a measure that is explicitly intended to “ensure the recovery of our economy”.
In total, more than 600,000 jobs depend on tourism in Australia.
"We're delighted to be able to reopen," said Tony Walker, chief executive officer of Quicksilver Group, which operates cruises, dives and resorts on the Great Barrier Reef.
"The last few years have been incredibly difficult for us." The company still has 300 employees today.
Before the pandemic, there were 650. At the same time, many tour operators are now struggling with staff shortages when resuming business, as they often rely on backpackers as workers.
Australia has recorded around 2.7 million cases of infection since the pandemic began;
more than 4200 deaths are confirmed in connection with Covid-19.
jus/AFP
