Australia is reopening its borders to tourists. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people have been allowed to re-enter the country since Monday, but the latter have to be in hotel quarantine. Previously, the country followed a strict zero-Covid strategy.
Australia is welcoming tourists again for the first time two years after the corona-related closure of the borders. Since Monday, twice vaccinated visitors from all over the world have been allowed to enter Down Under. “The wait is over,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
More than 1.2 million people from all parts of the world already have visas and could come. By Tuesday, 56 international flights are expected at the country’s airports, “and that number will continue to rise,” Morrison said.
Australia opened its borders to professionals, international students and other eligible visa holders in December. In addition, there were already travel corridors with New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Japan for fully vaccinated people.
Unvaccinated must be in hotel quarantine
An exception to the requirement of double vaccination is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is also approved but only requires one shot. A booster vaccination is not necessary and will not be in the future as things stand, Morrison recently emphasized. Unvaccinated people, on the other hand, must apply for an exemption and be quarantined in a hotel after arrival.
However, different states and territories have different rules, such as caps on international arrivals for unvaccinated travelers. These remain in force. Western Australia with the metropolis of Perth will not open its borders until March 3rd.
