Australia to fully reopen its borders

SYDNEY: Australia will fully reopen its borders for all visa holders vaccinated from 21 February. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday after closing Australia to non-citizens for nearly two years to mitigate the threat of the new coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after new medical advice, the new border rules would come into place on February 21.

“The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia,” he said.

“That’s the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it.”

“I think events earlier in the year should have sent a very clear message to everyone around the world what is the requirement to enter into Australia,” he added.

Australia, which shut its borders in March of 2020, has been going through a staggered reopening in recent months, allowing in only its citizens and residents, skilled migrants, international students and certain seasonal workers.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said unvaccinated travellers would still need to apply for a travel exemption to come to Australia and have to undergo hotel quarantine if they were granted permission to enter the country.