Australia on Monday fully reopened its international borders to travelers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of pandemic-related closings as tourists returned and hundreds of people were reunited with family and friends.
With over 50 international flights scheduled to land in Australia during the day, the country is hoping to revive its tourism and hospitality sectors, which took a severe battering since the start of the pandemic. Several families were also reunited after one of the strictest lockdowns in the world.
"It is a very exciting day, one that I have been looking forward to for a long time, from the day that I first shut that border right at the start of the pandemic," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
Passengers flying to Sydney were greeted from the air with "Welcome Back World!" painted on a sign near the runways while people in kangaroo costumes welcomed travellers and a DJ played music from a van festooned with a banner saying "You were worth the wait".
"It is a party out here, music playing, smiles on people's faces, they will be dancing soon, I'm sure," Tourism Minister Dan Tehan told broadcaster ABC from Sydney airport as he gave travelers gift jars of Vegemite, an iconic Australian food spread, and stuffed koala toys.
Tourism is one of Australia's biggest industries, worth more than A$60 billion ($43 billion) and employing about 5% of the country's workforce. But the sector was crippled after the country shut its borders in March 2020.
Australia switched its COVID prevention strategy from extreme suppression with relentless lockdowns to living with the virus after achieving high vaccination levels. Over 94% of people over 16 are now fully vaccinated, according to officials. The country's gradual reopening of borders started in November when skilled migrants and international students were allowed to fly into Australia.
With over 50 international flights scheduled to land in Australia during the day, the country is hoping to revive its tourism and hospitality sectors, which took a severe battering since the start of the pandemic. Several families were also reunited after one of the strictest lockdowns in the world.
"It is a very exciting day, one that I have been looking forward to for a long time, from the day that I first shut that border right at the start of the pandemic," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
Passengers flying to Sydney were greeted from the air with "Welcome Back World!" painted on a sign near the runways while people in kangaroo costumes welcomed travellers and a DJ played music from a van festooned with a banner saying "You were worth the wait".
"It is a party out here, music playing, smiles on people's faces, they will be dancing soon, I'm sure," Tourism Minister Dan Tehan told broadcaster ABC from Sydney airport as he gave travelers gift jars of Vegemite, an iconic Australian food spread, and stuffed koala toys.
Tourism is one of Australia's biggest industries, worth more than A$60 billion ($43 billion) and employing about 5% of the country's workforce. But the sector was crippled after the country shut its borders in March 2020.
Australia switched its COVID prevention strategy from extreme suppression with relentless lockdowns to living with the virus after achieving high vaccination levels. Over 94% of people over 16 are now fully vaccinated, according to officials. The country's gradual reopening of borders started in November when skilled migrants and international students were allowed to fly into Australia.
