#13 - International Hard or Feature News

After Nearly 20 Months, Australia Reopens its Borders

CNN

Australia reopened its borders on Monday, November 1st, after 20 months. The country's borders have been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and citizens were overjoyed to open them back up. 

Australia was one of the first countries to close its borders when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The government required that only Australian citizens and permanent residents be allowed to enter the country and undergo a two-week hotel quarantine upon arrival. The number of people who arrived each day was also limited due to a quota system. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that 'citizens and residents that have received both of their shots would be able to travel internationally and return home' - with the arrival quotas also being lifted. Only New South Wales and Victoria have relaxed restrictions on international arrivals due to 80% of the adult population being vaccinated in both states.

Citizens of Australia have voiced their excitement and have had many tearful reunions with family members and friends. At the Sydney airport, families waited for loved ones arriving from Singapore and Los Angeles, holding signs and flowers. One woman arriving from Los Angeles embraced her daughter with a tearful 'I love you so much.' 

Some citizens are arriving home with emotional scars due to the travel restrictions. Nick Costello was unable to return home to see his father before he passed away. He arrived from Los Angeles on Monday in time to attend his funeral. Nick Stated, 'I've been trying to get back for the last couple months to see my dad; I feel like there has been a huge human cost that has been paid for a lot of Australian citizens that live in other places or that travel overseas.' 

The Australian government says that border limits will continue to be removed as other parts of the country meet their 80% vaccination goal.