Australia will re-open to the rest of the world on February 21.

The international border has been shut for some two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All arrivals to Australia must have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, or hold a valid exemption.

They will still be subject to each state’s quarantine requirements.

QUT retail expert, Professor Gary Mortimer, said the loss for Queensland’s tourism sector has been huge.

“Prior to COVID, QLD was receiving about 212,000 short term visitors coming in every month, that equated to about $6 billion in spending just in that sector,” he told Scott Emerson.

He said Brisbane’s CBD remains quiet, in terms of foot traffic, businesses and public transport use.

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