From Monday, Australia will host international tourists after almost two years of to seal its borders, to rely on high rates of vaccination against COVID-19 for live with the pandemic than the infections decline.
“Waiting is overPrime Minister Scott Morrison said at an airport briefing on Sunday. international from Melbourne.
Australia’s opening up to tourists is the clearest example yet of the government went from a strict zero- COVID approach to life with the virus and the vaccination of public minimize death and serious illness.
More of the 2.7 millions of the country’s coronavirus infections have occurred since the emergence of the omicron variant in End of november. Corn with one of the world is highest vaccination rate – more over 94% of people 16 years old and over are double-dosed – there has been just fewer than 5,000 dead, a fraction of the rates seen in many others developed countries.
On Sunday, the country recorded more more than 16,600 coronavirus cases, before all areas reported, and at least 33 deaths, mostly in the three most populous states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
If travelers will flock back to the mainland island, nicknamed “Fortress Australia” for its strict border controls, remains being seen. the government hopes to stimulate a pre-pandemic growth sector – real tourism gross domestic product increased by 3.4% in 2018-2019, compared with GDP global growth of 1.9%.
Australia has been gradually reopening since November, first allowing Australians to travel in and then admitting international students and some workers. From Monday, holidaymakers and more business travelers can enter.
“Reopening reinforces Australia’s credentials as an open country economy and go allow companies with international interest to more drive easily business”, said Steve Hughes, head of HSBC commercial bank in Australia.
“We expect mid-sized companies that have reached the limits of their servant growth will regain the confidence to consider overseas expansion.”
Fully vaccinated tourists will not be need quarantine, but those who are not double-dosed will require a travel exemption to enter the country and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.