Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announced earlier today (7 February) that the country will be reopening its borders fully to fully vaccinated travelers from 21 February onwards, according to Reuters.
Morrison said that “if you’re double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia.”
According to Seven News, Australia has kept its borders closed to travelers for close to 2 years and ti was reopened to citizens, permanent residents, and their families, then international students, backpackers followed by migrant workers late last year.
Morrison said that the move is aimed at helping to boost the tourism sector of Australia.
Non-fully vaxxed persons required to apply for exemption
Australian Minister of Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, said that tourists who are not fully vaccinated, they would have to seek an exemption in order to enter the country.
These people will also be subjected to Australia’s quarantine protocols.
According to ABC News, Morrison reportedly said that even if the person has the proper Australian visa, he/she wouldn’t be allowed to enter if they were not fully vaccinated or doesn’t have an exemption.
He also cited the example of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic’s deportation as an example and said that it should send a clear message to the world that being fully vaccinated is the requirement to enter Australia.