Australia was set to open starting December 1 but the new variant for COVID put that plan to shambles. With students and workers growing impatient after an almost 2-year gap, this came as an unpleasant surprise. But coming December 15th, Australia will probably be safe to open for workers and international students alike.
The return of international students and skilled migrants on December 15 would be a step in the right direction, according to Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also noted that the two-week delay had caused inconvenience to individuals who had made reservations.
“We understood what the government had to do there, we think it was prudent, but all the signs are positive, and we need to get international students coming back in, we need to get some of those skilled migrants coming back in and eventually we need to have tourists and business visitors coming in.”
He further said that bringing back international students and workers will bring back the life in the business of many of the cities of Australia.
Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan also hinted that the country would open up by December 15th. He added that this was wonderful news to the tourism industry, universities, students and businesses all over the world wanting to come to Australia.
Tehan also acknowledged the fact that international students brought almost 40 billion dollars to the country, and that they were crucial in filling major roles in the Australian labor force. He has assured that the economy will come back to what it was before the pandemic by the next financial year.
Further, WA is reaching its vaccination rate of 80 percent target, which is when the Premier will give more details about when the borders for the state will open. According to predictions, WA will only fully open borders by late January or early February.
International students and workers alike are hoping that the Premier for WA will lift restrictions for fully vaccinated people as soon as possible. The state stands at a total of 78.2 percent double dose vaccination rate currently. But December 15th, 2021 will be crucial to find out how international students and holiday workers will be brought back to Australia.
