Australia has announced it will welcome international tourists after closing its borders at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
QUICK FACTS:
- Relying on its high vaccination rates of more than 94% fully jabbed, Australia will now begin to open its borders to tourists today.
- Although the majority of the country’s COVID infections have come about in the last few months due to the Omicron variant, there have been just under 5,000 deaths, mainly in the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
- Australia first began allowing its citizens to travel in and out of the country in November, then gradually welcoming international students and workers.
STEVE HUGHES, HEAD OF HSBC’S COMMERCIAL BANKING IN AUSTRALIA:
“The reopening reinforces Australia’s credentials as an open economy and will allow companies with international interests to more easily conduct business.”
BACKGROUND:
- Although it is unknown as to whether or not travelers will come back soon to the island country, nicknamed “fortress Australia” due to its strict COVID lockdowns, the government hopes to boost its post-pandemic economy.
- “Pack your bags,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said to potential visitors. “Don’t forget to bring your money with you, because you’ll find plenty of places to spend it.”
- In Sept. 2021, Australia made international headlines as its strict COVID regulations left people stranded at its borders, including a three-year-old who was separated from his parents.
