Lagatar24 Desk
Sydney, Feb 7: From February 21, Australia’s borders will reopen to fully vaccinated travellers, abolishing some of the world’s tightest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“It’s almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia,” Morrison said after a meeting of the national security cabinet.
“If you’re double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia.”
In March 2020, Australia’s borders were slammed shut to protect the island continent from a spreading virus.
Since then, Australians have been prevented from leaving for the most part, and just a few visitors have been granted entry exemptions.
The laws have shattered families, harmed Australia’s burgeoning tourism economy, and sparked heated discussions about the country’s reputation as a modern, open, and outward-looking society.
For Australians, long-term residents, and students, rules have been gradually reduced.
Almost all remaining caps will be lifted as a result of the recent ruling.
It comes after the country’s long-standing “Covid-zero” policy was scrapped, and the once-flagship track-and-trace system crumbled under the weight of a wave of Omicron cases.
