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THE AUSTRALIAN government on Tuesday (10/5) decided not to accept foreign tourists until at least 2022. This step was taken to slowly return Australia to normal conditions after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will prioritize the return of migrants and students once vaccination targets are met. Australia will only open its doors after 80% of the population aged 16 and over have received full vaccinations.
“Before tourists, the priority was for skilled migrants and international students. We will get international visitors too, I believe next year,” Morrison said, as quoted by the AP.
Morrison’s announcement came a day after he announced plans to allow vaccinated citizens and permanent residents to fly overseas from November for the first time since March 2020.
According to Morrison said Australia’s very strict travel restrictions have led to the lowest immigration rates since World War II. Australian universities, which rely heavily on international students, said they were devastated. Many universities fear losing students because they cannot regain access to Australia.
Australia’s strict rules give birth to a high degree of emotional freedom because half the population was born overseas, or has at least one immigrant parent. Many families are now separated for 2 years. [sources/photo special]
