After some time reopening to select travelers to certain destinations within the country and providing video marketing to get folks excited for travel again, Australia announced it will be reopening its borders to fully vaccinated travelers as of February 21.
The reopening represents the first time that people from anywhere in the world (so long as they’re vaccinated) will be able to visit Australia since March 2020. The announcement follows closely on the heels of New Zealand last week announcing its phased reopening plan, which aims to reach the same step by July.
Travelers who are not fully vaccinated would be required to show proof of a medical exemption to enter the country, according to Axios.
According to Reuters, Australian Tourism Export Council Managing Director Peter Shelley said, “Over the two years since the borders have been closed the industry has been on its knees.” He added: “Now we can turn our collective efforts towards rebuilding an industry that is in disrepair.” To note: Total tourism losses since the start of the pandemic totaled AUS $101.7 billion (approximately $72 billion), according Tourism Research Australia. International travel spending in Australia plunged from AUS $44.6 billion in the 2018-19 financial year to AUS $1.3 billion in 2020-21.
In addition, BBC report that despite Australia opening up, the state of Western Australia remains closed to non-residents—including those from other Australian states—unless they have permission to enter.
According to The New York Times, cases are down 61 percent over the last 14 days, with deaths down 3 percent. The country as a whole is 80 percent fully vaccinated.
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