​Australia To Open International Borders In Two Weeks

Australia will finally open its borders to international travellers who are double-vaccinated from February 21.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement this afternoon (February 7), saying it would be a welcome boost for the struggling tourism sector.

"I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that, and over the next two weeks they'll get the opportunity both for visitors to be coming and for them to be gearing up to welcome international visitors back to Australia," he said in Canberra.

"The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That's the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it."

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Those who are unvaccinated will be required to get an exemption and will then be subject to the quarantine rules of whichever state or territory they land in.

The individual states and territories will determine their own caps on unvaccinated travellers.

Morrison alluded to the trials and tribulations of the world's #1 male tennis player, Novak Djokovic, who attempted to enter Australia whilst unvaccinated.

Djokovic ended up being deported from Australia, rendering him unable to compete in the Australian Open grand slam.

"I think events earlier in the year should have sent a very clear message to everyone around the world that [that] is a requirement to enter Australia," Morrison said today.

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Australia - with the exception of Western Australia - has slowly been winding back its Covid-19 restrictions and gradually opening its borders.

Late last year, citizens, permanent residents and their families were allowed back in, and this was then extended to include international students, backpackers and migrant workers.

Topics: News, Scott Morrison, COVID-19 travel restrictions, Australia, Covid-19