Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday made the announcement just hours after the government’s national security committee was briefed on the latest health advice. PM Scott Morris said that anyone will be permitted to enter on the condition they are double vaccinated from February 21.

“If you are double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia,” he told reporters.

Also read: Australia to fully open its borders to international tourists soon

On Sunday, Morrison said he hoped the international borders could open to tourists soon after the success of partial openings to students, backpackers and skilled migrants.

Particularly given that many of the states had now passed their peaks in COVID-19 infections.

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Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Morrison said, “The key issue that we have been examining and I have asked for advice from our health officials now over recent weeks, is how that decision could impact on our hospitals, which has been our primary consideration.”

“But I really do not believe that is far away. As people will know, we have already opened up our borders to skilled migrants and backpackers and students,” he added.

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The Australian Prime Minister further went on to say that said high-profile deportation of unvaccinated tennis star Novak Djokovic “should have sent a very clear message to everyone around the world that is the requirement to enter into Australia”.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said anyone not vaccinated who wants to come to Australia would have to apply for an exemption.

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Since November 2021, when border restrictions first began to loosen for travel from a small number of countries, 300,000 people have visited Australia. Tourism operators are crying out for international big-spenders.