FOR the first time in nearly two years, Australia’s international border has reopened, bringing with it happy family reunions and a boost to tourism.
After shutting down in March 2020 due to Covid, the country imposed some of the world’s strictest travel bans.
Most foreigners have had to wait since late last year, even though Australians and others were allowed to return.
Today, as hundreds of people arrived on flights, there were tearful reunions at Sydney Airport.
Visitors who have been double-jabbed are exempt from quarantine, but unvaccinated travelers must stay in a hotel for up to 14 days at their own expense.
Today, more than 50 international flights were scheduled to arrive as all states are open to visitors, with the exception of Western Australia, which is closed until March 3 cause it requires three vaccinations.
“What wonderful news for our tourism industry and the 660,000 people working in it,” said Dan Tehan, Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Investment.
In 2019, Australia received approximately 9.5 million international visitors.
Tehan expressed optimism for a strong recovery in the tourism industry, which has also been harmed by domestic travel bans.
The country’s strict policies were criticized for separating families and suffocating businesses, but they were also credited with saving many lives before vaccines became available as there have been approximately 4,900 Covid deaths in Australia.
