(Reuters) – Australia has recorded 43 deaths from coronavirus on Saturday as it prepares to receive international tourists for the first-time in almost two years.

Since November 2020, the country has slowly reopened its borders. First, it allowed Australians to travel. Then, international students and workers were permitted. Now, they are allowing leisure travelers.

The country was once a leader in a zero COVID strategy. However, it has now adapted to living with coronavirus within the community. This is mainly due to high vaccination rates which have led in less severe cases and fewer hospitalisations.

Western Australia has allowed triple-vaccinated people to return even though it has been under strict border control for 700 days.

Saturday’s death toll was 257, which is the highest number of new infections in Australia. Australia’s death were mostly reported in New South Wales Victoria and Queensland. Both states still see thousands of cases per day.

Australia’s number two state and the most populous, Victoria will establish a quarantine facility for non-vaccinated foreign residents starting Monday.

Lisa Neville (the state’s quarantining police minister) said that “The Omicron variation has demonstrated us we need to continue being flexible in our response to pandemics – and the purpose built hub will be vital for how we manage pandemics now and into the future.”

International and Australian travellers who have been fully vaccinated are exempt from the requirement to be quarantined in managed facilities.

New Zealand is Australia’s nearest neighbour. It keeps its borders almost completely closed. New Zealand recorded 1,901 community case, which was one of the highest daily totals.

These two countries are some of the highest-vaccinated, with over 94% of 16-year-olds in Australia having been double-vaccinated and 94% in New Zealand.

Lidia Kelly Reports in Melbourne, Editing by William Mallard