Australia Won’t Be Seeing International Travel Until 2022
There is bad news for anyone hoping to travel either in (or out) of Australia in the near future. Regrettably the country’s government warns that borders won’t be opening for international travel this year. This is only likely to happen in 2022, due to uncertainties over the vaccine rollout and effectiveness of the different variants of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Australia NOT Reopening For Travel Any Time Soon
Australia’s finance minister, Simon Birmingham, told Sky News that the country “won’t be seeing borders flung open at the start of next year with great ease.” Delays are caused by uncertainties that currently exist in the speed of the country’s vaccine rollout. Border reopening is further delayed by the extent of the vaccines’ effectiveness on the different variants of the virus, along with their longevity and effectiveness.
Birmingham explained that due to global uncertainty, it is likely that Australia’s borders will remain closed for some time. “Australians do not want us to reopen borders and risk COVID entering into this country, and risk the consequential loss of life, economic damage and loss of jobs across Australia,” he added.
The finance minister spoke ahead of the handing down of the federal budget in Australia. He said that while Australia is enjoying high levels of business and consumer confidence, this is being underpinned by a level of fragility.
Delays Cause Blow To International Travel
The latest news will no doubt come as a blow to the international travel industry. Back in February, Australia’s flag carrier Qantas announced that it was aiming to resume international flights to the country by the end of October.
Meanwhile, as the announcement was made, Qantas promised its customers full refunds, travel vouchers for a free change of date should their plans be disrupted by an extension to border closures.
In the meantime, due to the trans-Tasmin travel bubble, Australians have been able to travel to New Zealand. The travel bubble was launched on April 19 to allow quarantine-free travel between the two countries. However, following the detection of two new COVID-19 cases in the Sydney community, quarantine-free travel from New South Wales to New Zealand was recently suspended for 48 hours. However, depending on how the situation unfolds, New Zealand will either lift or extend the restrictions after the suspension period is over.
What Are Travelers Missing?
From the ancient rock art in Kakudu National Park, to the iconic modern sites of Sydney Harbour and the clear blue waters of Rottnest Island, Australia is a remarkable destination. The country’s outback is remarkable, while its cities are a modern experience. Sydney, with its bustling neighborhoods and vast harbor is a natural draw. Meanwhile, Hobart is a different kind of adventure with its contemporary art and Gothic history.
Australia is also a great foodie destination, with unique cuisine, including dishes like kangaroo steak served with indigenous greens in some of the top restaurants. For an alternative dining adventure, travelers can head to Alice Springs on a tucker tour to find out first-hand which local plants to taste. Meanwhile, Tasmania is a taste-filled adventure with its fresh seafood.
Hopefully, Australia will be able to reopen its borders early in 2022 – until then international travelers will have to be patient.
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