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Australian Home Affairs Minister says reopening of borders to international tourists is ‘very close’

Australian Home Affairs Minister says reopening of borders to international tourists is ‘very close’
February 6, 2022

International tourists could return to Australia in the coming weeks, with Federal Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews describing the decision as imminent, pending final health advice.

Explaining that the reopening of Australia’s borders to international tourists is a "priority", Minister Andrews told the ABC that the Federal Government's national security committee will meet today to discuss the issue and the latest information from health experts.

Minister Andrews told the Insiders program earlier today "we don't have all of the information that we need to be able to take the decision to open, but we are very close."

With the nation's international borders largely closed international visitors for almost two years, the tourism industry - hit hard by both the drop in revenue from overseas visitors and domestic border closures - is keen for borders to reopen.

The Federal Government has already received preliminary advice that some international arrival restrictions are no longer necessary, given high vaccination rates across the country.

The ABC reported that Omicron case numbers are beginning to decline in almost all jurisdictions, apart from Western Australia, although the number of deaths remains high.

There are calls for the country to fully reopen to tourists and to allow all visa holders to enter and leave the country without the need for exemptions.

Minister Andrews said international tourists who do not meet the COVID-19 safety precautions could be deported, drawing comparisons to tennis star Novak Djokovic's case.

She added “to be able to enter Australia, if you are a non-Australian, you need to have a valid visa and you need to demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated or that you have medical evidence to say that you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

"If you speak, specifically, about Mr Djokovic, the issue was he couldn't prove that he had a medical reason for not being vaccinated."

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2nd February 2022 - ATEC calls on Federal Government to open Australia’s borders to international tourists

26th January 2022 - Australian Tourism Industry Council calls for border restrictions to end

21st January 2022 - Omicron fears sees Western Australian Premier suspends reopening of state borders indefinitely

16th January 2022 - Novak Djokovic loses appeal against visa cancellation and set to be deported from Australia

6th January 2022 - Australian Border Force moves to deport tennis star Novak Djokovic after visa cancellation

22nd November 2021 - Australian borders to open for fully vaccinated international students from 1st December

12th November 2021 - Western Australian Premier reveals COVID-19 roadmap to border reopening

19th October 2021 - Tourism and Transport Forum welcomes announcement on Queensland border reopening

3rd October 2021 - ATEC welcomes announcement of International borders reopening

1st October 2021 - Australia to open international borders from November

27th May 2021 - Australian Tourism Export Council calls for Prime Minister for roadmap to open borders

18th May 2021 - Coinvestor in Elanor Wildlife Park Fund increases stake in domestic tourism despite border closure

19th January 2021 - Facing ongoing international borders closures tourism industry calls for continued Federal Government support

21st January 2022 - Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix to proceed for vaccinated participants

6th December 2021 - My Vaccine Pass required to enter Queenstown facilities and venues

2nd December 2021 - Adelaide venues mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for public access

20th November 2021 - Vaccinated crowds to return for 2022 Australian Open but unvaccinated players will be barred


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