Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated visa holders and welcome the return of tourists, business travelers and other international visitors from 21 February 2022.
“This change will ensure we protect the health of Australians, while we continue to secure our economic recovery,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Tuesday.
It further explained that Australia’s health system has demonstrated its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the recent Omicron wave.
With health conditions improving, including a recent 23 per cent drop in hospitalization rates due to COVID-19, the Cabinet’s National Security Committee agreed on Friday that Australia is ready to gradually reopen its international borders.
Visa holders who have not been fully vaccinated will still need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will follow state and territory quarantine requirements.
“Today’s announcement will provide reassurance to our vital tourism industry, and allow the industry to begin planning, recruiting and preparing for reopening,” Morrison said.
In 2018-2019, tourism generated more than AUD 60 billion (approximately IDR 614.6 trillion) for the Australian economy, with more than 660,000 jobs dependent on the industry.
Since the Morrison Government began reopening Australia’s international borders on November 1, 2021, the country has recorded nearly 580,000 arrivals to Australia, including to reconnect with loved ones, work or study.
“The federal government continues to work with state and territory governments to safely restart the shipping industry, and looks forward to further announcements on this in due course,” Morrison said. (ojn/bbs)
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