People arriving at Sydney airport. Photo: James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday that foreign tourists won't be allowed to visit the country until at least 2022, AP reports.
Why it matters: Morrison announced last week that the government plans to lift its 18-month COVID-19 travel ban for fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents in November. It was unclear, however, when tourists would be allowed to visit the country.
The big picture: Morrison said Tuesday that after reopening borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents, the government would prioritize allowing skilled migrants and international students to return to the country, AP reports.
- “We will get to international visitors as well, I believe next year,” Morrison said, per AP.
The other side: Tourism companies in Australia are angry there is no plan in place to bring back international visitors.
- “Even if they’re not the first priority, we’d like to see how this is going to be worked out. There are many businesses that are just hanging on,” said Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, per AP.