International tourists touch down in Australia for the first time in two years

The ‘Land Down Under’ has is no longer a fortress nation, after opening to the world on Monday

Australia has reopened its international border for the first time in two years, bringing joyful family reunions and a boost to tourism.

The country imposed some of the world’s strictest travel bans as a way of managing COVID-19, after shutting itself off in March 2020 to keep the virus out.

Australians and some others were allowed to return from late last year, but most tourists have had to wait for the all clear.

There were tearful reunions at airports around the country as hundreds arrived in the country for the first time since the pandemic begun.

The reopening of the country is expected to boost the nation’s economy as well as assist the devastated aviation sector in its recovery.