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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Covid: Australia to reopen borders to international travel | Covid: Australia to reopen borders to international travel |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Australia implemented some of the world's strictest border controls during the pandemic | Australia implemented some of the world's strictest border controls during the pandemic |
| Australia has announced the reopening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years. | Australia has announced the reopening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years. |
| "If you're double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. | "If you're double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. |
| The reopening, on 21 February, will be welcome news for many sectors including international education. | The reopening, on 21 February, will be welcome news for many sectors including international education. |
| Australia has had some of the world's strictest border controls throughout the coronavirus pandemic. | Australia has had some of the world's strictest border controls throughout the coronavirus pandemic. |
| In March 2020, the government closed the borders. It barred most foreigners from entering the country and put caps on total arrivals to help combat Covid. | In March 2020, the government closed the borders. It barred most foreigners from entering the country and put caps on total arrivals to help combat Covid. |
| Some international students and skilled migrants have been permitted to enter the country since last December. | Some international students and skilled migrants have been permitted to enter the country since last December. |
| The battle to open up 'Fortress Australia' | The battle to open up 'Fortress Australia' |
| Australia revisited - a country changed by Covid | Australia revisited - a country changed by Covid |
| On Monday, Mr Morrison said those entering Australia when the borders fully reopened would need to provide proof of vaccination: "That's the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it," he said. | |
| Unvaccinated travellers who have a medical reason for not being jabbed will still need to apply for a travel exemption and, if successful, will be required to quarantine at a hotel. | Unvaccinated travellers who have a medical reason for not being jabbed will still need to apply for a travel exemption and, if successful, will be required to quarantine at a hotel. |
| Since the start of the pandemic, Australia has implemented strict measures to help fight the spread of Covid infections - even banning its own people from leaving the country last year. | Since the start of the pandemic, Australia has implemented strict measures to help fight the spread of Covid infections - even banning its own people from leaving the country last year. |
| Despite most of the country opening up, the state of Western Australia (WA) still has tight measures. It is currently closed to non-residents, including those from other Australian states, unless they have permission to enter. | |
| There had been plans to open WA's borders to interstate and international tourists this month, but that move was postponed indefinitely due to the Omicron variant. | |
| Australia has so far reported more than 2.7 million cases of coronavirus and more than 4,240 Covid-related deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Nearly 80% of the population is fully vaccinated. | |
| This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
| To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. | To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. |
| Midnight rush for shops and pubs as Sydney reopens | Midnight rush for shops and pubs as Sydney reopens |
| Are you planning to travel to Australia? Share your stories by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you planning to travel to Australia? Share your stories by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: |
| WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 | WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 |
| Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
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