Australia to open up from February 21

Australia's borders will soon be open to all international tourists, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison today revealing February 21 as the opening date after almost two years of doors shut closed.

Morrison stressed that inbound travellers must be double vaccinated if they want to enter Australia, and that state-based caps and quarantine arrangements would still continue as state and territory leaders see fit.

"If you're double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia," Morrison said.

While borders have been open since late 2021, entry has only been allowed for citizens, permanent residents and their families, with it later expanded to international students, backpackers and migrant workers.

Morrison said the move would be a welcome boost to the tourism sector which had experienced a serious downturn due to the Covid-19 virus variants and loss of foreign visitors.

“I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that,” he told reporters in the national capital of Canberra.