'Fortress Australia' to welcome tourists for first time under Covid
2 years, 10 months 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 severe illness. READ | US FDA considers approving a second Covid-19 booster shot: Report But with one of the world's highest vaccination rates - more than 94% of people aged 16 and over are double-dosed - there have been just under 5,000 deaths, a fraction of the rates seen in many other developed countries. "The reopening reinforces Australia's credentials as an open economy and will allow companies with international interests to more easily conduct business," said Steve Hughes, head of HSBC's commercial banking in Australia.

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History of this topic

Australia's post-COVID tourism sector still waiting for international visitors as backpackers choose to stay away
2 years, 3 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 …

Travel news - live: Australia prepares to reopen to foreign tourists
2 years, 10 months 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
2 years, 10 months 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
2 years, 10 months 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?
2 years, 10 months 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 …

Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21
2 years, 10 months 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 …

As 'fortress Australia' opens after two years of COVID-19 border closures, will backpackers and tourists come back?
2 years, 10 months ago

As 'fortress Australia' opens after two years of COVID-19 border closures, will backpackers and tourists come back?

ABC  

Bondi in summer isn't exactly what Moa Hoflin imagined. According to Margy Osmond, the chief executive of the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia, the "code red" decision was the latest in a long line of hits to the industry and Australia's global reputation. "In the meantime, we just need that certainty and not see any surprises like what we saw …

WA border opening delay prompts relief and resentment in business and tourism sectors
2 years, 11 months ago

WA border opening delay prompts relief and resentment in business and tourism sectors

ABC  

There has been a mix of relief and resentment amongst the West Australian business community over the state government's decision to indefinitely delay its border reopening. Key points: For many businesses the delay means frustration and hardship is ahead For many businesses the delay means frustration and hardship is ahead For others, it means they can operate without fear of …

South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we learned?
3 years ago

South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we learned?

ABC  

South Australia this week went where no other state — possibly no other jurisdiction — has gone before. Key points: SA opened its borders to NSW, ACT and Victoria last Tuesday As of Saturday, 10 positive cases had been recorded in interstate travellers Close contacts of positive cases still need to quarantine After enjoying months without a single case of …

Australia to reopen international border in November
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia to reopen international border in November

India TV News  

Australia's international border will reopen in November after being closed for 18 months amid the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday. According to Morrison, international travel to and from Australia will resume as states and territories approach 80 perc ent of the adult population fully vaccinated against Covid-19, reports Xinhua news agency. "To maximize the number of …

Australian PM announces reopening of international travel, easing border restrictions
3 years, 2 months ago

Australian PM announces reopening of international travel, easing border restrictions

Deccan Chronicle  

Canberra: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday announced the reopening of international travel and easing of border restrictions. Morrison said that the international border will reopen next month for states that have reached 80 per cent vaccination rates, starting with New South Wales, reported ABC News. Travellers must be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine to home quarantine, unless …

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens

CNN  

CNN — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, October 1 announced plans to reopen the country’s borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents, moving from a strict zero-Covid strategy to a model of living with the virus. Morrison also said that with 55% of the country now fully vaccinated and first dose rates approaching 80%, the government “has …

International travel resumes next month as PM announces changes to border restrictions
3 years, 2 months ago

International travel resumes next month as PM announces changes to border restrictions

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the international border will reopen next month for states that have reached 80 per cent vaccination rates, starting with New South Wales. Key points: Australia's international borders will lift in November Fully vaccinated travellers will be able to home quarantine for seven days The government will work to abolish arrival caps for vaccinated travellers …

International travel is set to resume but things won't be the same as before — here's what we know about home quarantine and more
3 years, 2 months ago

International travel is set to resume but things won't be the same as before — here's what we know about home quarantine and more

ABC  

Australia's border has been almost entirely sealed for 18 months, but today it became clearer the end is in sight and changes are afoot for international travel next month. For vaccinated people, a fortnight of hotel quarantine will be out and a shorter stretch of home quarantine will be in, while Australia's getting ready to welcome international guests by recognising …

When borders reopen after COVID, where will Australians be able to travel?
3 years, 2 months ago

When borders reopen after COVID, where will Australians be able to travel?

ABC  

It's been more than a year and a half since Australia's international borders were slammed shut, so it's no surprise that many of us are itching to get overseas for a holiday or to see loved ones. While the federal government has said they hope to allow international travel by Christmas "at the latest", no date has been set despite …

Coronavirus Australia: WA premier Mark McGowan says border could stay closed until April 2022
3 years, 3 months ago

Coronavirus Australia: WA premier Mark McGowan says border could stay closed until April 2022

Daily Mail  

Hardline premier Mark McGowan has confirmed Western Australia will likely remain closed off from the rest of the country for up to another seven months. WA Premier Mark McGowan said his state won't open the border until likely April next year - and only if 80-90 per cent of the state are fully-vaccinated Western Australia faces being cut off from …

Australia's Borders to Remain Closed Indefinitely to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19: PM
3 years, 7 months ago

Australia's Borders to Remain Closed Indefinitely to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19: PM

News 18  

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday announced that the country's borders will remain closed indefinitely for the rest of the world to protect Australians from the deadly outbreaks of Covid-19 strains. According to media reports here, Morrison said he "doesn't see an appetite" for Australia opening to the world at the moment, and that he intended to be cautious …

Australia's COVID vaccine rollout speed needs to double for borders to reopen within a year, experts warn
3 years, 8 months ago

Australia's COVID vaccine rollout speed needs to double for borders to reopen within a year, experts warn

ABC  

Australia will need to double the speed of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout in order to safely open its international border within 12 months, epidemiologists have warned. Key points: Australia has vaccinated about 1.86 million people so far The rollout has been pushed back due to concerns over the AstraZeneca vaccine One expert says it will take years to vaccinate the …

Scott Morrison 'in no hurry' to open borders as he pleads with eligible Australians to get vaccinated
3 years, 8 months ago

Scott Morrison 'in no hurry' to open borders as he pleads with eligible Australians to get vaccinated

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison warns Australia is in "no hurry" to fully reopen its international borders, but is flagging a gradual process starting with "essential travel". Key points: Scott Morrison said restrictions on travel would only be eased slowly He said he hoped that by the end of the year Australians travelling for "essential purposes" would not need to go …

Federal Government in talks to expand coronavirus travel bubble beyond New Zealand to some parts of Asia
4 years, 1 month ago

Federal Government in talks to expand coronavirus travel bubble beyond New Zealand to some parts of Asia

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia is still holding discussions with several Asian countries — including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan — about expanding Australia's travel bubble and opening up quarantine-free travel. However New Zealand is still not welcoming travellers from across the ditch, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she wants to wait until all Australian states have …

Australia opens borders between New Zealand and NSW, Northern Territory as coronavirus restrictions ease
4 years, 2 months ago

Australia opens borders between New Zealand and NSW, Northern Territory as coronavirus restrictions ease

ABC  

Australia has finalised a deal for a limited travel bubble that would allow people from New Zealand to travel to New South Wales and the Northern Territory, with flights across the Tasman expected to resume in a fortnight. Key points: New South Wales and the Northern Territory will accept New Zealand arrivals from October 16 New South Wales and the …

Business pushing hard to open state borders during coronavirus, but leading economists urge caution
4 years, 3 months ago

Business pushing hard to open state borders during coronavirus, but leading economists urge caution

ABC  

Business groups pressuring politicians to reopen state borders quickly should not ignore the health and economic benefits of the coronavirus lockdowns, two leading economists say. Key points: Tourism executives sign open letter calling on state leaders to reopen borders quickly They claim the latest border closures have permanently damaged the domestic tourism industry Economists say calls for state borders to …

Coronavirus restrictions: Where you can and can't travel around Australia as borders reopen
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus restrictions: Where you can and can't travel around Australia as borders reopen

ABC  

There has been a lot of movement on border restrictions recently given we're now in July, the month when Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he hoped all interstate travel would resume. Overall, Victoria's stance on its borders is actually relatively simple at the moment: However, that advice won't apply to one section of Victoria's population from Thursday: people in Melbourne's …

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