Australia will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists on February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday, after imposing some of the toughest entry restrictions in the world.
Read alsoAustralia continues to reopen despite a new wave of Covid-19
"
It's been almost two years since we decided to close Australia's borders
," Scott Morrison said after a cabinet meeting on national security, adding that the country "
will reopen its borders to all visa holders on February 21
”.
“
If you are double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia”
.
The huge island-continent closed its borders in March 2020, trying to take advantage of its insularity to protect itself from the pandemic.
For the past two years, Australians have mostly not been allowed to leave their country and only a few visitors have obtained an exemption to enter the territory.
These restrictions have separated families, hurt the tourism sector and sparked debates about Australia's status as an open, modern and outward-looking country.
Gradually, restrictions have been eased for Australians, long-term residents and students.
This new opening is part of the abandonment of the draconian policy known as “zero Covid” long in force before being overtaken by the wave of the Omicron variant.
