Australia will not abandon its plans for re-opening despite concerns over the Omicron Ovid-19 strain.
After a two week pause due to the highly transmissible strain, the nation will welcome skilled workers and students from abroad on Wednesday.
We are moving in the right direction. It was confirmed again over the weekend,” Greg Hunt, Health Minister said Monday.

Australia will begin opening its international borders, with student and migrant visas allowed starting in December 15. Pictured: Bondi Beach at Sydney
Mr Hunt said Australian officials are not worried about Omicron because, although more infectious, it appears to be milder than the Delta strain.
He stated that there was ‘clear proof’ to show two doses are sufficient to protect against death and severe illness.
He said, “The solid, clear evidence is the fact that all of these vaccines still provide very strong coverage against serious illness and hospitalisation, as well as loss of life.”
He said, “As a variation, it might well be milder, and that could turn, as many international source have indicated to be, to be quietly positive developments for the world,”.
Josh Frydenberg Treasurer denied any suggestion that the Government wasn’t cautious enough in light of South Africa’s strain. However, he said that he is determined to help get the economy moving.
“We will continue listening and following the health advice. It has been very helpful to us to this point. However, it is important to keep the momentum in our economy. He spoke to ABC TV Monday.
“We have seen 350,000 job opportunities return since September.” Our confidence in business has increased. Australia has maintained its AAA credit rating. The Treasurer said that there was a strong investment pipeline in Australia’s housing market as well as more broadly across the economy.

Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer of Australia has approved a small business loan program. Pictured: A Melbourne cafe
Boris Johnson from the UK warned of a rising tide of Omicron cases in his country and encouraged Britons to have their booster vaccinations.
Frydenberg said that the Federal Government will offer a loan guarantee to small and medium-sized business owners.
The original scheme was scheduled to expire in December, but the plan will be extended for another six months and provide $7 billion more loans.
For small businesses with less than $250 million in turnover, the scheme offers loans of up $5million. Loans can be extended for up to 10 year.
These loans can be refinanced and will be guaranteed by the government on a 50-50 basis with banks.
“(The loans are) possible to upgrade your production line (if you’re a manufacturer) or if tradie (to), go and buy new tools, or for cafes to get a new kitchen,” the Treasurer said to Nine Network.
Mr Hunt assured Australians that there are enough Covid-19 booster shot doses in Australia, even though the timeframe for a third has been pushed back by one month.
According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, booster doses are now possible from just five months following completion of the primary course. This is in contrast with six months previously suggested.
ATAGI approved Moderna as a booster shot to Australians 18-years and older.
It can also be used in conjunction with the Pfizer booster vaccination, regardless of whether a person has received their first course of vaccines.
The Federal Government is yet to announce when tourists will be able to return to the international border.

Frydenberg refuted suggestions that the Government wasn’t being prudent enough about Omicron