By Jamie Salter
The National Security Committee has decided to reopen Australia’s borders as of Monday 21 February – almost two years since Australia closed its borders to international travellers.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he looked forward to welcoming international tourists back to Australia at a press conference held on February 7.
“We have progressively been opening our borders since November last year, those programs have proceeded very successfully – whether it was the programs we had in place with New Zealand, Singapore, and then with Japan and South Korea opening up to international students and backpackers and economic migrants who have come into Australia – that will now be extended into international visitors who will be able to return,” Mr Morrison said.
International travellers must be double vaccinated in order to enter Australia.
“That’s the rule, everyone is expected to abide by it and it’s very important people understand that rule if they’re wanting to come to Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
“If you’re double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia and I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that.”
A state-based cap on arrivals and state-based quarantine arrangements will continue to remain in place.
Mr Morrison hinted at an incident in which tennis player Novak Djokovic entered the country without a double vaccination status.
“Events earlier in the year should have sent a very clear message to everywhere around the world that that is the requirement to enter Australia,” he said.
Federal Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the government has been speaking with health professionals prior to the decision to reopen borders to tourists.
“We opened for families. We opened various pathways, including from Singapore, Japan, South Korea. We’ve opened to economic cohorts. We’ve opened to international students. The next phase is to open to tourists,” Minister Andrews said.
