Australia to FINALLY reopen to tourists on February 21, says Scott Morrison
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia to FINALLY reopen to tourists on February 21, says Scott Morrison

Daily Mail  

Australia's borders will finally open to international tourists on February 21 after almost two years of closure to keep out Covid-19. Pictured: A traveller at Sydney Airport Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was sent home after he entered Australia without being fully vaccinated, meaning he could not play in the Australian Open Mr Morrison said the decision was taken because Australia is now ravaged with the Omicron variant of Covid, meaning international travellers don't pose an extra risk. Western Australia, which is still pursuing a Covid-zero strategy, is expected to keep in place its arrival caps and 14-day quarantine rules which will prevent large numbers of international tourists entering the state from overseas. Scott Morrison speaks to the media as he announces the borders will be open from February 21 Former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said the timing was right for the border reopening to expand to tourists 'It's a really important sign for Australians that things are back on the path to normality,' he told the Nine Network.

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History of this topic

Will Australia see an influx of Chinese tourists as China relaxes strict COVID-19 border rules?
2 years, 2 months ago

Will Australia see an influx of Chinese tourists as China relaxes strict COVID-19 border rules?

ABC  

After almost three years of closed borders, Chinese people are able to travel freely again from today. From last Thursday, all travellers from China — including Australian citizens — have to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and provide a negative result before heading to Australia. 'A big barrier for people to travel' Professor Sam Huang says the process to get …

Australia's post-COVID tourism sector still waiting for international visitors as backpackers choose to stay away
2 years, 7 months ago

Australia's post-COVID tourism sector still waiting for international visitors as backpackers choose to stay away

ABC  

Steve Edmondson is hearing a few more foreign accents these days. Speaking from the town's famous Cable Beach, Mr Geappen said any small business owner in the town who hadn't "made a quid this season was an idiot". "The major international factor that we're dealing with is the lack of backpackers," he said. The Department of Home Affairs said processing …

New Zealand Reopens to Visitors for the First Time Since Onset of Covid Pandemic
2 years, 7 months ago

New Zealand Reopens to Visitors for the First Time Since Onset of Covid Pandemic

News 18  

New Zealand’s borders fully re-opened to visitors from around the world on Monday, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic closed them in March 2020. The process of reopening the borders ended last night with visitors who need visas and those on student visas now also allowed to return to New Zealand. International students were a significant contributor to …

'Hoping to Get Some Positive News': Novak Djokovic on US Open and Australian Open Participation
2 years, 8 months ago

'Hoping to Get Some Positive News': Novak Djokovic on US Open and Australian Open Participation

News 18  

The 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic “believes things will change" and he will be allowed to compete at next year’s Australian Open. Djokovic suffered a major blow earlier in the year, as he was not allowed to defend his title at the 2021 Australian Open since he was not vaccinated against Covid-19. “As things stand now, I cannot travel …

Australia drops Covid vaccination travel rules – but masks on flights remain
2 years, 8 months ago

Australia drops Covid vaccination travel rules – but masks on flights remain

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The government in Canberra said: “People travelling to Australia will no longer have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration to …

Novak Djokovic may be free to return for 2023 Australian Open after government ruling on COVID-19 vaccinations
2 years, 8 months ago

Novak Djokovic may be free to return for 2023 Australian Open after government ruling on COVID-19 vaccinations

ABC  

Novak Djokovic may be free to return for January's Australian Open despite being banned for up to three years from applying for a visa after being deported earlier this year. Key points: From Wednesday, international arrivals will no longer be asked about their vaccination status The unvaccinated Djokovic was deported from Melbourne before his 2022 Australian Open defence His management …

COVID-19 vaccination requirements to be scrapped for international arrivals into Australia
2 years, 8 months ago

COVID-19 vaccination requirements to be scrapped for international arrivals into Australia

ABC  

Foreign travellers arriving in Australia will no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 from Wednesday morning. Key points: Health Minister Mark Butler says the decision is being made on medical advice In May, just over 1,000 applications from unvaccinated travellers were received, with 158 approved Incoming arrivals will still need to comply with other restrictions, including wearing masks on …

Twice as many Aussies heading overseas since borders opened, but numbers still lag well below pre-pandemic norm
2 years, 9 months ago

Twice as many Aussies heading overseas since borders opened, but numbers still lag well below pre-pandemic norm

ABC  

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Wednesday shows the number of trips in and out of Australia has almost doubled since March. Key points: Over 1.3 million international trips took place in May this year Prior to the pandemic, over 4 million trips took place during Christmas 2019 Short-term visitor numbers are down by more than 66 per …

New Zealand welcomes back tourists as it eases pandemic rules
2 years, 10 months ago

New Zealand welcomes back tourists as it eases pandemic rules

NPR  

New Zealand welcomes back tourists as it eases pandemic rules Enlarge this image toggle caption Jed Bradley/AP Jed Bradley/AP WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand welcomed tourists from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in more than two years Monday after dropping most of its remaining pandemic border restrictions. But international …

Australia travel rules: Everything you need to know as nation reopens to vaccinated tourists
3 years ago

Australia travel rules: Everything you need to know as nation reopens to vaccinated tourists

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The general principle is: “Children aged under 12 years count as fully vaccinated for travel purposes.” However, the rules state …

Test-free travel to Australia ‘not far away now’, says PM
3 years ago

Test-free travel to Australia ‘not far away now’, says PM

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has hinted that Australia’s Covid test requirement for travel could …

Australia ends travel ban for fully vaccinated visitors
3 years ago

Australia ends travel ban for fully vaccinated visitors

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. You will need: a copy of your vaccination certificate, including any boosters proof of a negative Covid-19 test in the …

WA border open after two years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, bringing tears of joy in Perth
3 years ago

WA border open after two years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, bringing tears of joy in Perth

ABC  

Western Australia is open after the state's hard border was removed overnight. Key points: Quarantine-free travel into WA has resumed with the hard border lifted Quarantine-free travel into WA has resumed with the hard border lifted There have been tearful reunions at Perth Airport as the first flights landed There have been tearful reunions at Perth Airport as the first …

SA residents prepare to enter WA as COVID border restrictions lift
3 years ago

SA residents prepare to enter WA as COVID border restrictions lift

ABC  

The West Australian border has reopened after almost two years, prompting a wave of relief as an estimated 100 travellers from South Australia waited to cross over after midnight. Key points: Quarantine-free travel into WA has resumed with the hard border lifted SA motorists waited at the border to travel through early this morning Bordering businesses are welcoming the lift …

Tearful reunions as Western Australia ends COVID border closure
3 years ago

Tearful reunions as Western Australia ends COVID border closure

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s largest state has reopened to fully vaccinated domestic and international travellers, ending one of the world’s longest coronavirus border closures. The airport in Perth, Western Australia’s capital, was the scene of emotional reunions as the first of 22 scheduled domestic flights and five international flights began arriving on Thursday. “We expect about 5,000 domestic and international travellers to arrive …

Travel news - live: Australia prepares to reopen to foreign tourists
3 years, 1 month ago

Travel news - live: Australia prepares to reopen to foreign tourists

The Independent  

✕ Close Passengers arrive at Sydney airport as Australia reopens after nearly two years Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia has …

Australia reopens borders to tourists after two-year ‘fortress’ level travel ban
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia reopens borders to tourists after two-year ‘fortress’ level travel ban

Live Mint  

Amid decline in Covid-19 cases as the third wave of coronavirus pandemic recedes, Australia reopened its borders to vaccinated tourists on Monday. The country earned the nickname “Fortress Australia” following announcing its decision on travel ban, which not only imposed a strict cap on international arrivals but also barred citizens from going overseas. Known for its strict regulations, Australia had …

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists

India Today  

Australia on Monday fully reopened its international borders to travellers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of being shut in the pandemic as tourists returned and hundreds of people were reunited with family and friends. "It is a party out here, music playing, smiles on people's faces, they will be dancing soon, I'm sure," Tourism Minister Dan Tehan …

The Australian border has reopened, but when can we go back to normal?
3 years, 1 month ago

The Australian border has reopened, but when can we go back to normal?

ABC  

For couples who have been separated by border closures, the reopening is more than just news. China's new official report says the majority of its citizens choose to travel domestically, which poses "great uncertainty" about when, and whether, Chinese tourists will return to Australia in pre-pandemic numbers. China's civil aviation administration issued circuit-breaker orders to suspend several flights from Sydney …

As Australia reopens, crippled tourism sector feels cautious hope
3 years, 1 month ago

As Australia reopens, crippled tourism sector feels cautious hope

Al Jazeera  

International tourists are allowed to visit Australia from Monday for the first time in nearly two years. “We’re thinking of just hibernating everything until tourists are back,” Cronshaw told Al Jazeera, predicting Australia would not see an immediate flood of tourists due to restrictive travel policies in many prospective tourists’ home countries. “So it’s still going to be a long …

'Fortress Australia' to welcome tourists for first time under Covid
3 years, 1 month ago

'Fortress Australia' to welcome tourists for first time under Covid

India Today  

Australia will welcome international tourists on Monday after nearly two years of sealing its borders, relying on high Covid-19 vaccination rates to live with the pandemic as infections decline. Australia's opening to tourists is the clearest example yet of the government's shift from a strict zero-Covid approach to living with the virus and vaccinating the public to minimise deaths and …

Australia's last international COVID travel restrictions are lifting. But their legacy for those caught up in them remains
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia's last international COVID travel restrictions are lifting. But their legacy for those caught up in them remains

ABC  

For the first time in almost two years — 704 days — Australia’s borders will reopen to all fully-vaccinated travellers tomorrow. But as Australia's "hermit kingdom" chapter closes, the pain of the past two years is still very fresh. "It's been two years now and they haven't even processed it," she says. "Our daughter didn't want to go to her …

WA sets new record for COVID-19 cases as state prepares to open its doors
3 years, 1 month ago

WA sets new record for COVID-19 cases as state prepares to open its doors

ABC  

Western Australia has again broken its daily record for COVID-19 cases, with 257 new local infections, as the state recorded what are believed to be its first cases in a remote Aboriginal community in the current outbreak. Key points: There are now at least 877 active infections in Western Australia There are now at least 877 active infections in Western …

Western Australia to open borders on 3 March after two years
3 years, 1 month ago

Western Australia to open borders on 3 March after two years

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia’s largest state is finally set to allow tourists, family visitors and business travellers in from …

How South Australia might inform Western Australia's border reopening
3 years, 1 month ago

How South Australia might inform Western Australia's border reopening

ABC  

As Western Australians wonder how the state's eventual border reopening might unfold, pundits often draw on the South Australian experience as the state with not only the most comparable population and density, but a COVID-free existence for major parts of the pandemic. "People want to come to South Australia and I think it's happy days for our state going forward," …

Unvaccinated Australians are banned from leaving the country until April 17
3 years, 1 month ago

Unvaccinated Australians are banned from leaving the country until April 17

Daily Mail  

Strict biosecurity laws banning unvaccinated Australians from leaving the country have been extended a further two months until April 17. Biosecurity laws banning unvaccinated Aussies from leaving the country have been extended until April 17, Greg Hunt announced on Friday Travellers near the Overseas Passenger Terminal by the Norwegian Jewel cruise at Circular Quay in Sydney in February 2020 'Whilst …

Daniel Andrews announces international travellers into Victoria must be triple vaxxed
3 years, 1 month ago

Daniel Andrews announces international travellers into Victoria must be triple vaxxed

Daily Mail  

Dan Andrews has warned overseas travellers arriving in Victoria that they must get their Covid booster if they want to go out during their stay. However, in the coming weeks Victoria's definition of 'fully vaccinated' may change to three doses, pending advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations, and would apply to international arrivals. Overseas travellers arriving into …

Covid-19: Omicron drives S Korea's cases to record high; Aus to open borders for vaccinated tourists
3 years, 1 month ago

Covid-19: Omicron drives S Korea's cases to record high; Aus to open borders for vaccinated tourists

India Today  

South Korea reported record high in daily Covid-19 cases with the Omicron variant of the virus driving the surge. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 38,691 new cases of the virus on Monday, a nine-fold increase from the levels seen in mid-January, when Omicron became the country’s dominant strain. Jeong Eun-kyeong, the country’s top infectious disease expert, warned …

Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21

The Hindu  

Australia will reopen its borders to tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday, ending some of the world’s strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions. “It’s almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia,” Mr. Morrison said, announcing borders will reopen to all visa holders “on the 21st of February of …

Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks

NPR  

Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks Enlarge this image toggle caption Kelly Defina/Getty Images Kelly Defina/Getty Images Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers beginning Feb. 21, officials announced Monday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison noted at a news conference that Australia has progressively opened its borders through programs with New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, …

Australia to open borders to vaccinated tourists on February 21
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia to open borders to vaccinated tourists on February 21

Al Jazeera  

Australia to welcome international travellers back nearly two years after closing its borders. Australia will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced, ending some of the world’s strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions. “It’s almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia,” Morrison said during …

What you need to know about Australia's border opening to all international arrivals
3 years, 1 month ago

What you need to know about Australia's border opening to all international arrivals

ABC  

COVID restrictions have impacted travel to Australia since early 2020 but later this month, the country's borders will finally open to all international visitors again. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the national cabinet has decided "Australia will reopen our borders to all remaining visa holders on February 21 of this year." "To be clear, we are absolutely welcoming back fully …

Bali is officially open to fully vaccinated Australians. But they must spend five days in a luxurious beachside quarantine hotel
3 years, 1 month ago

Bali is officially open to fully vaccinated Australians. But they must spend five days in a luxurious beachside quarantine hotel

ABC  

Five days in a luxury resort in Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran or Ubud shut away from the outside world might sound like the ultimate getaway for some. From Friday, Indonesia has opened Bali to all foreign tourists, including Australians, who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. New rules around holidaying in Bali All foreign tourists will …

COVID-19 confusion takes over as WA changes course on multiple fronts behind hard border
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 confusion takes over as WA changes course on multiple fronts behind hard border

ABC  

Western Australia has had two years to prepare for this. And a previous desire to immediately do anything possible to "crush and kill" the virus has been replaced by a reluctance to bring in harsher restrictions, with major events allowed to proceed even as COVID-19 significantly spreads in WA for the first time in two years. Few details of the …

New virus rules put Djokovic at risk of missing French Open
3 years, 1 month ago

New virus rules put Djokovic at risk of missing French Open

Associated Press  

PARIS — France is tightening its vaccination rules in a way that could put Novak Djokovic at risk of missing the French Open. Earlier this month, he was deported from Australia and barred from playing in the Australian Open for not meeting the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination rules. French Open organizers have previously said it’s too early to comment since …

Mark McGowan's WA border backflip may have unforeseen consequences for tackling COVID-19
3 years, 2 months ago

Mark McGowan's WA border backflip may have unforeseen consequences for tackling COVID-19

ABC  

For two years, West Australians have come through time and time again when asked by authorities to do the unprecedented. Promise lies in ruins Premier Mark McGowan has repeatedly said that the key to WA's success in avoiding COVID-19 getting out of control was ordinary West Australians "doing the right thing". West Australians were promised that once the state reached …

WA's COVID-19 border will stay shut indefinitely. What now, and when might the state reopen?
3 years, 2 months ago

WA's COVID-19 border will stay shut indefinitely. What now, and when might the state reopen?

ABC  

Two years into the pandemic, Western Australia once again has been left indefinitely closed off to the rest of the world. Late last year, WA Premier Mark McGowan announced a February 5 reopening to interstate and international travellers, describing that date at the time as "locked in". But in an extraordinary evening press conference barely two weeks from that date, …

Australian Open 2022: Organisers under pressure over 'optional' Covid tests
3 years, 2 months ago

Australian Open 2022: Organisers under pressure over 'optional' Covid tests

Firstpost  

Tennis Australia, which organises the Australian Open, says players only need to test if they have Covid symptoms. Melbourne: The Australian Open was under growing pressure Thursday to make Covid tests mandatory after leading players openly questioned the seemingly lax policy and the Grand Slam got its first positive case. Men’s third seed Alexander Zverev said in response that players …

Djokovic flies home to Serbia, may be able to play 2023 Australian Open
3 years, 2 months ago

Djokovic flies home to Serbia, may be able to play 2023 Australian Open

Live Mint  

World men's tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic returned home reluctantly on Monday after being kicked out of the Australian Open due to his unvaccinated COVID-19 status which could now cloud his participation in future tournaments. Because Djokovic is the number one," said Alek Drakoo, a member of the local Serbian community, who had planned to watch him play in Melbourne. …

Australian Open 2022: Crowds capped at 50 per cent as COVID-19 cases continue to rise
3 years, 2 months ago

Australian Open 2022: Crowds capped at 50 per cent as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Firstpost  

Face masks will also be mandatory at the opening Grand Slam of the year, which starts on Monday, except when eating or drinking, and spectators must socially distance while indoors. Crowds at the troubled Australian Open will be capped at 50 per cent capacity as Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations continue to rise in Melbourne, it was announced Thursday. “These updates …

Australian Open crowds capped at 50 percent capacity due to COVID
3 years, 2 months ago

Australian Open crowds capped at 50 percent capacity due to COVID

The Hindu  

Crowds at the Australian Open tennis will be capped at 50 percent capacity under updated COVID-19 restrictions, the Victoria State government said on Thursday, as authorities battle a surge of cases in Melbourne. Face masks will also be mandatory for all patrons, except when eating or drinking, and there will be density limits of one person per two square metres …

Australian Open draw delayed as Djokovic visa decision awaited
3 years, 2 months ago

Australian Open draw delayed as Djokovic visa decision awaited

The Hindu  

The Australian Open tennis draw has been postponed until further notice, organisers said on Thursday, amid uncertainty about whether the government will cancel top seed Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is weighing exercising his discretionary powers to revoke Djokovic's visa which could scuttle his bid for a record 21st major tennis title at the …

A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date
3 years, 2 months ago

A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date

ABC  

Two West Australian epidemiologists are calling for the state's border opening to be delayed to avoid a potential health "catastrophe" but, in a clear divide, key sectors of the economy warn any delay would be disastrous for jobs and businesses. Key points: The emergence of Omicron has split opinion over Western Australia's February 5 reopening There is concern about the …

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet
3 years, 2 months ago

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet

ABC  

Travellers hoping to lock in plans to head to Western Australia when the state's borders reopen on February 5 are being blocked by the government's approval system. Key points: The G2G approval system is set to continue when borders reopen The G2G approval system is set to continue when borders reopen However, travellers applying to enter Western Australia after the …

As Novak Djokovic's entry into Australia is denied, here's a look at the country's strict COVID-19 restrictions
3 years, 2 months ago

As Novak Djokovic's entry into Australia is denied, here's a look at the country's strict COVID-19 restrictions

Firstpost  

The Serbian Tennis star’s chance to play for a 10th Australian Open title has been thrown into limbo after the country cancelled his entry visa after a public outcry over his ‘medical exemption’ On Thursday morning, one of the Tennis world’s top players, Novak Djokovic was detained at Melbourne Airport after Australia announced that it had cancelled his entry visa …

Novak Djokovic denied entry to Australia amid Covid-19 vaccine outcry
3 years, 2 months ago

Novak Djokovic denied entry to Australia amid Covid-19 vaccine outcry

Hindustan Times  

Novak Djokovic was denied entry to Australia after border officials overruled a vaccine exemption that sparked a national uproar and underlines the complex alignment of federal and state Covid-19 policies that’s become a hallmark of the nation’s pandemic journey. Former world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic The tennis star, who was due to contest the Australian Open this month despite …

Novak Djokovic heading to Australian Open with medical exemption
3 years, 2 months ago

Novak Djokovic heading to Australian Open with medical exemption

Firstpost  

World number one Novak Djokovic said Tuesday that he was heading to the Australian Open to defend his title after being granted a medical exemption to play. Melbourne: World number one Novak Djokovic said Tuesday that he was heading to the Australian Open to defend his title after being granted a medical exemption to play. All participants at the Australian …

South Australia was the first state to go from 'COVID zero' to 'COVID normal'. A month on, how is it going?
3 years, 3 months ago

South Australia was the first state to go from 'COVID zero' to 'COVID normal'. A month on, how is it going?

ABC  

One month ago, South Australians became the first in the country to go from "COVID-zero" to "COVID-normal". Yesterday, exactly one month after the state reopened, South Australia recorded 484 cases. Some of that, and the testing changes, were due to uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant and the government's unsuccessful attempt to keep it out of South Australia. Premier Steven Marshall …

As Omicron surges and COVID records fall, will we have to close borders again and increase restrictions?
3 years, 3 months ago

As Omicron surges and COVID records fall, will we have to close borders again and increase restrictions?

ABC  

Australia is on the brink of an identity crisis as our highly vaccinated, low-COVID nation faces its most significant confrontation yet with SARS-CoV-2. For Deakin University's chair of epidemiology, Professor Catherine Bennett, the wisdom of open borders has a straightforward answer: "If not now, when?" The decision to open borders in February all but guarantees months without COVID are drawing …

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