Skilled workers, international students, and other eligible visa holders can now enter Australia again, nearly two years after the country’s international border was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Vaccinated visa holders were initially supposed to be able to enter Australia without the need to apply for an exemption beginning December 1.
However, due to the emerging Omicron Coronavirus variant, the Canberra government has postponed the reopening to Wednesday.
Skilled workers, student cohorts, temporary workers, holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders are among those who are eligible, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Vaccinated visitors from Japan and South Korea will also be permitted to enter Australia, as bubble arrangements resume on Wednesday after a two-week delay.
Despite spikes in case numbers in some states, the reopening pause ended on time.
Prof. Paul Kelly, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, stated in a statement that the country is well-positioned to deal with COVID-19 and emerging challenges such as the Omicron variant.
“Our high rates of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters have put us in a very good position; we are well prepared.”
Since March 2020, Australia’s international borders have been closed to all but residents and citizens, with a few exceptions.