In February, Australia opened its borders to international tourists for the first time. Now, cruise ships are to enter the country again from April 17, 2022.
Due to the Omicron variant as well as the Corona wave in Australia, the ban of international cruises was extended from February until April 17. Now the Australian government has decided to put an end to the ban for cruise ships on April 17. After two years, cruise ships can finally enter as well as leave. The Australian government also announced that it has effectively controlled the infiltration and spread of Covid-19 on Australian territory and that this decision was made on medical advice.
The resumption of cruises will boost the tourism industry, which welcomed more than 600,000 cruise passengers in 2019, according to Interior Secretary Karen Andrews. "I can't wait for our cruise terminals to fill up again with international cruises and passengers and for this important industry to get back on track," she said.
Under conditions set by the Australian government, cruise ship passengers must be double-vaccinated. The industry association CLIA Australia, which had been working with the government to negotiate a reopening for cruise ships, was pleased with the news and is now focusing on working with the states, which will set specific requirements for the reopening of their ports.
"This is the best news we have received in two years, and it is especially welcome for the thousands of Australians whose livelihoods depend on cruising. We are confident that larger cruise ships will return to Down Under in the not-too-distant future," CLIA Executive Director Joel Katz said, adding that he hopes smaller ships will return even sooner.