Australia reopens its borders after 18 months More than 1.6 million expats are still unable to reunite with their families

Source: Overseas Network

The first day of Australia's opening of its borders

Since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, Australia lifted international border restrictions for the first time since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic ,1st), and states and regions with vaccination rates of 80% allowed some international travelers to enter the country. On the same day, Sydney Airport staged a scene of family reunion and tearful embrace. However, the new entry rules do not apply to some foreign residents, which has caused dissatisfaction.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on the 1st, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria are open to some international travelers from the 1st, and currently only include Australian citizens, permanent residents and their relatives, and vaccinated passengers do not need to undergo isolation. Temporary residents and people with visas in Australia are excluded. This policy has caused dissatisfaction among some foreign residents in Australia.

According to reports, Gilwani Van Enpei, from Indonesia, is a graduate student in Melbourne and has been separated from his wife and children for 20 months because his departure will affect the awarding of scholarships, but his family does not meet the entry requirements under the new regulations. "Obviously we (those with visas) have also contributed to an 80 per cent vaccination rate, and we have been doing the right thing, but we can neither leave Australia nor let our families in," Van said. According to the Australian Department of Land, there are at least 1.6 million temporary residents and visa holders in Australia, all of whom have been excluded from this new epidemic prevention policy.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Australia has imposed an 18-month policy of border restrictions, prohibiting inbound and outbound travel for persons other than special exemptions. Before the border was opened, many Australians overseas were unable to return home for weddings and funerals. (Overseas Network Wang Xiaoyu)