Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that the country will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated international travellers later this month.
The move marks the first time since the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020 that most international travellers will be able to visit Australia.
In a press briefing Morrison said fully vaccinated travellers would be able to visit the country from February 21, 2022.
“If you’re double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back,” said Morrison.
Unvaccinated travellers with medical reasons will need to continue to apply for travel exemptions, and will be required to quarantine in a hotel on arrival.
The country has had some of the strictest travel restrictions in place to limit the impact of the virus, although cases have recently soared as the Omicron variant took hold.
Rules have been gradually relaxed since late last year, with student and skilled migrants permitted entry, and Qantas resumed international flights in November 2021.
The carrier had been due to restart its nonstop flights between Perth and London from March 27, 2022, but recently said that it was reviewing these plans in the light of Western Australia’s decision to delay the reopening of its borders.
Qantas adjusts capacity as Western Australia’s border reopening delayed
