AUSTRALIA reported more than 15,000 new Covid-19 cases and 33 deaths today, one day before the country’s borders open to fully vaccinated tourists, Xinhua news agency reported.

From tomorrow, Australia’s strict border restrictions will ease, allowing international tourists to enter the country for the first time since March 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, tourism was worth about A$60 billion (RM179.3 billion) a year to the Australian economy, employing more than 650,000 people.

The industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, with international visitor numbers falling by about 99%, Xinhua’s reports said.

More than 50 international flights are expected to land in Australia within 24 hours of the border reopening.

International arrivals will have to prove that they are either fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a valid medical exemption.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today the number of arrivals would increase as a result of a A$40 million Tourism Australia advertising campaign.

“I know the tourism industry has been getting ready. I know the airlines have been getting ready. So all the readiness puts us in a strong position to go forward from tomorrow,” he said, according to Xinhua. – Bernama, February 20, 2022.