Excited Australian tourists land in California hours after the US opened its borders and Scott Morrison revoked the 19-month ban on citizens leaving the country
- Some of the first Australian tourists have arrived in the US after border reopened
- Fully-vaccinated international travellers can now enter the country as of Monday
- An Aussie woman said she was 'so excited' to be on her first holiday in two years
- Australia lifted a ban on exemption-free overseas travel for its citizens last week
Some of the first Australian tourists to arrive on US soil in two years have touched down in California after the country reopened to vaccinated travellers.
The US started welcoming international visitors on Monday, allowing families and friends to reunite for the first time since Covid-19 broke out in early 2020.
Tourists arrived in the US just days after Australia lifted a ban on November 1 that prevented its citizens from leaving the country without an exemption.
Holiday-starved Aussies quickly seized the chance to take a trip across the Pacific, arriving at San Francisco International Airport just hours after the international border reopened.
Australian Claire Power (pictured) said she was very excited to be on her first international holiday in more than two years after touching down in the US on Monday
'This is my first time going overseas in over two years. It's very exciting,' a Australian tourist Claire Power told reporters in the arrival terminal.
'It was so great to get on the plane and travel.'
Matt Pontoles said he was stoked by the regained travel freedoms and was excited to reunite with American friends.
'[It's great] to have the opportunity to see people I haven't seen for a long time,' he said.
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Nick Lincoln said he was delighted to finally be on a business trip abroad after leaving his suitcase sitting idle for the past 18 months.
'It's great to be here,' he said.
'I travel a lot for work, [but] this is the first time in a year and a half, so it is very exciting.'
The US shut its international border to 'non-essential' travellers on March 18, 2020, closing the nation to millions of people for nearly two years.
The US has reopened its international borders to fully-vaccinated travellers after they slammed shut in March 2020. Pictured: San Francisco airport
Matt Pontoles (pictured) said there was a 'lot of excitement' to have the freedom to travel
American citizens and permanent residents were always allowed to enter the US, but the travel bans grounded tourists, thwarted business travellers, and often kept families far apart.
Countries including France, Spain, Britain, Cambodia, and Canada, have started to reopen as they seek to boost their pandemic-crippled tourism industries.
However, many are only accepting vaccinated travellers from specific countries, and some require proof of a negative Covid test before entering.
Australians can now leave the country without an exemption, but travel rules differ between the states.
As of last week, vaccinated Australians and their immediate family are permitted to travel overseas from any state - but only NSW and Victoria will let them come back without any quarantine.
Australia has also started allowing vaccinated citizens who were overseas to return home without having to quarantine, but international tourists from other countries are still barred.
A third Aussie, Nick Lincoln, said it was 'fantastic' that fully-vaccinated Australians could now leave the country for holidays
Scott Morrison last month announced vaccinated tourists will be allowed into the country for quarantine-free travel by the end of the year, but is yet to set a date.
The national re-opening plan agreed by all states and territories in August states that once 80 per cent of over 15s are vaccinated there would be a 'gradual opening of inward and outward travel with safe countries'.
Australia reached the 80 per cent target on Saturday, but the plan is in jeopardy after some state leaders strayed from the agreement, pledging to maintain restrictions until vaccination rates are higher.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan plans to keep the state's borders shut to the rest of the country - and the world - until 90 per cent of the state is vaccinated, a milestone that is not expected to be reached until February next year.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk has similarly vowed to maintain border restriction until the same jab rate is achieved early in 2022, despite modelling showing it is safe to reopen at 80 per cent.
What are the four phases of opening up?
A. Vaccinate, prepare and pilot (from July 14)
Arrival caps cut in half to 3,035 a week; early, stringent and short lockdowns if outbreaks occur; trials of seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals in South Australia; medicare vaccination certificates available on apps like apple wallet
B. Post vaccination phase (when 70 per cent are jabbed, expected late this year)
Lockdowns less likely but possible'; vaccinated people face reduced restrictions; caps for unvaccinated arrivals increased; a larger cap for vaccinated arrivals with 'reduced quarantine requirements'; capped entry for students and economic visa holders
C. Consolidation phase (when 80 per cent are jabbed, time not announced)
Lifting all restrictions for outbound travel for vaccinated travellers; no caps for vaccinated arrivals; increased caps for students and visa holders; more travel bubbles being set up with countries such as Singapore; booster shots rolled out
D. Final phase (percentage or time not announced)
Uncapped arrivals for vaccinated people without any quarantine and uncapped arrivals for unvaccinated people with testing before departure and on arrival
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