AUSTRALIA will reopen its borders to tourists from February 21, announced Prime Minister Scott Morrison today, ending one of the strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions in the world.

“It has been almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia.”

He announced the borders will reopen to all visa holders “on t February 21”, adding that “if you are double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you to Australia”.

Australia’s borders slammed shut in March 2020, in the hope of protecting the island continent against a surging global pandemic.

For most of the time since then, residents have been barred from leaving and only a handful of visitors have been granted exemptions to enter.

The rules have stranded nationals overseas, split families, hammered the multi-billion-dollar tourist industry in the country, and prompted debates about Australia’s status as a modern, open and outward-looking nation.

Every month of border closures has cost businesses an estimated US$2.6 billion (RM7.7 billion), according to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In recent months, rules have been gradually relaxed for Australians, long-term residents and students.

The latest decision will see almost all remaining caps lifted.

It comes after the country’s long-standing “Covid-zero” policy was abandoned, vaccination rates rose and the once stellar track-and-trace system collapsed under a wave of Omicron cases.

Only a handful of countries remain closed to tourists – among them China, Japan, New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations. – AFP, February 7, 2022.