Australia has announced the reopening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders, the BBC reported today.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that double-vaccinated travellers are welcomed and that they would need to provide proof of vaccination.
The BBC also said that unvaccinated travellers who have a medical reason for not being jabbed will still need to apply for a travel exemption and, if successful, will be required to quarantine at a hotel.
A CNN article said: Currently, citizens, permanent residents and their families, along with international students, backpackers and migrant workers are allowed entry into the country though they must show proof of having two doses of an approved vaccine.
The same rule will apply to tourists unless they qualify for a medical exemption.
Tourism Australia also released a statement that said it is “excited to be welcoming back travellers from the United Kingdom to Australia, following today’s announcement that Australia is reopening its borders to quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers from 21 February 2022. ”
The announcement is part of Australia’s planned re-opening of international travel and builds on quarantine-free travel arrangements with Singapore, which came into effect on 21 November 2021, and for visitors from Japan and South Korea along with Working Holiday Makers from 15 December 2021.
“The announcement today enabling fully vaccinated travellers from Britain to Australia quarantine-free from 21 February is a significant step in rebuilding international visitation from Australia’s international tourism markets across the globe,” Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said.
Tourism Australia will be launching a new tourism campaign to welcome leisure travellers back to Australia in the coming weeks.
TRAVELLING TO AUSTRALIA
● From 21 February 2022, visa holders who are fully vaccinated with two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccine can travel to Australia quarantine-free, without the need to apply for a travel exemption.
● To be eligible to enter Australia, international travellers must:
○ Hold a valid Australian visa.
○ Be fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and provide proof of vaccination status.
○ Present a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of departure (unless a medical exemption applies).
For more information please visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs I Travelling to Australia.
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