After nearly two years of restrictions, the state is now welcoming vaccinated visitors from COVID-19 hotspots.

Wally and Betty Bourke are thrilled to see their son Allan after rescheduling their flights to Tasmania three times during the pandemic.

"We've tried three times already but have been cancelled through the airlines. And we've finally got the okay from the Tasmanian Government," said Wally.

"My wife and I are very excited."

Wally and Betty have tested negative to the virus prior to their trip tomorrow and are now "packing their bags".

"There's a lot we've missed - birthdays, Christmases, things like that."

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The decision to reopen the borders on Wednesday, December 15 came as Tasmania hit it's 90 per cent vaccination target for people aged 16 and older.

"While this pandemic isn't over yet, our vaccination program has been very successful...we are in a position where we can reopen safely, with appropriate protections in place," said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said.

However, since Wednesday night, there has been one new case recorded in Tasmania and the state added all of Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and Geelong to its list of high-risk areas following increases in infection rates.

The man who tested positive is in isolation and was told by NSW Health he had been at a venue in Newcastle last weekend where there was significant virus transmission.

Wally said he wasn't too concerned over the Omicron variant of the virus.

"The Tasmanian Government has already told us that if we've been near Newcastle to not come," he said.

"We're not too worried about getting stuck. My wife is very excited to go and wouldn't mind spending a longer time there!"

Do you have a story about reuniting with loved ones as borders open? Email grace.crivellaro@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

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