Call us optimistic, but last week when Scott Morrison announced that international arrivals were (almost) imminent, our foreign family-missing, overseas friend-loving hearts leapt for joy. 

Speaking to 4CA (a Cairns radio station), the PM was asked about welcoming foreign visitors back to Australia. “I don’t think it’s too far away, to be honest, but we’ve got to get some medical advice further on that, a bit more work to do with the states to make sure we’re comfortable about it,” he said. 

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Australia has been pretty much closed since the beginning of the pandemic, and while international borders reopened in late 2021, only a lucky few citizens, permanent residents, international students and skilled workers have been allowed in. 

But Mr Morrison says once case numbers decrease, that will change and foreign visitors will be welcomed back. “We’re just watching how Omicron is sort of washing over the eastern states at the moment, but with Omicron peaking, then that starts opening up opportunities,” he said. 

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When Australia’s borders do fully open, it’s anticipated that only travellers who are fully vaccinated will be admitted, however we’ll have to wait and see. 

But the really big question on everyone’s lips is: When will overseas arrivals be welcomed back?

“I’d like to see us get there soon, certainly before Easter, well before Easter,” Mr Morrison said. Good Friday falls on 15 April and East Sunday on 17 April this year. That’s a mere 10 weeks away. 

That’s definitely enough time to start pencilling in a long-awaited reunion with your loved ones.

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