Australia to unlock the borders to tourists from February 21

Australia will reopen its borders to all vaccinated business travelers and tourists from February 21 to further relax COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced, ending some of the strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions in the world.

Australia imposed some of the world’s most rigid travel restrictions on its permanent restrictions and citizens in March 2020 to avert them from bringing COVID-19 home.

International students and skilled labor were prioritized over tourists being permitted into the country when Australia relaxed the border restrictions in November in response to an increasing vaccination rate within the Australian population.

Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister, said his senior ministers agreed on Monday to reopen the country to all vaccinated visas holder from February 21.

Prime Minister Morrison also said visitors must have proof of vaccination, referring to Serbian tennis superstar, Novak Djokovic, being deported by the Australian government last month because he was not vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said visitors who could provide proof of a medical reason for not being vaccinated could apply for a travel exemption.