Australia to Reduce Incoming Int. Passenger Capacity from July 2021

[mviy]

It’s based on reaching a vaccination threshold level (still to be determined), so impossible to put a date on it.

So we get our hopes out for an announcement and get arrivals caps slashed and a plan not worth the paper it's written on.

 

[mviy]

So much for new purpose built quarantine facilities supplementing hotel quarantine. Today's slashing of quotas would seem to suggest that it'll replace it not supplement it.

 

[Flying mermaid]

So we get our hopes out for an announcement and get arrivals caps slashed and a plan not worth the paper it's written on.

Well if everyone would prioritise getting vaccinated the way you are we will get there sooner.

 

[Revenge]

So the caps go back up as part of phase 2, which ABC reckons would be early next year. I didn't hear any dates in the actual announcement.

There were no dates in the announcement. PM said they will do some modelling over the next few weeks on what the vaccinated threshold is that they need to move to phase 2.

 

[Pushka]

I see on ABC news that SA has offered to trial the 7 day quarantine for vaccinated travellers. Maybe even at home. Where can I sign up?

 

[Flying mermaid]

I see on ABC news that SA has offered to trial the 7 day quarantine for vaccinated travellers. Maybe even at home. Where can I sign up?

Do you know any details on the trials. Probably too early, but yes it would be good to sign up to it, if they had them in a couple of states. Hope NSW does it.

 

[dajop]

I also noticed PM discussions of bubbles with places like Singapore, well into Phase 37 of the plan, probably in 2029.

 

[levelnine]

madrooster, would it be your guess that the 50% cut in caps means that most economy passengers, even in Y class, are likely to be cut from flights? That is, it'll only be J and PE from now on?

 

[mviy]

I suppose a bit depends on whether the cap reduction leads to a halving of flights or a halving of passengers per flight. The former would mean less business seats which would likely mean that economy pricing would go up. If it's a halving of passengers per flight that can only mean less economy seats per flight if any.

Curious to hear if madrooster's heard anything from the airlines about what's happening about the number of flights coming in.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just saw the press conference with the Premier of Australia. It's good to see that they are starting to use the language vaccinated and travel in the same sentence and are discussing reopening things up in phases. My understanding is that there will be four phases: lockdown (where we currently are with travel caps slashed in half), partial lockdown where travel caps return to pre-lockdown levels and vaccinated people are given more rights such as higher caps for returning vaccinated travellers and having to ignore all these lockdown nonsense), semi-partial lockdown (fully vaccinated can travel freely now but will need to quarantine at home for 7 days on return, unvaccinated can travel with restrictions, and normal.

I suppose the real question will be what will cause those phases to trigger and whether the Prime Ministers of Queensland, New South Wales and other states will change the rules halfway down the track. It's also good to see them opening up the vaccine passport to Apple Wallet later this month as I'm fully vaccinated, and I'd love to just flash that around people when I go into stores without wearing a mask ("don't worry I'm vaccinated" )

The One, The Only,

KangarooFlyer88

 

[Flying mermaid]

I suppose a bit depends on whether the cap reduction leads to a halving of flights or a halving of passengers per flight. The former would mean less business seats which would likely mean that economy pricing would go up. If it's a halving of passengers per flight that can only mean less economy seats per flight if any.

Curious to hear if madrooster's heard anything from the airlines about what's happening about the number of flights coming in.

Be good to get his perspective, but you would think flights would get cancelled. Halving number of passengers on a flight would make them even less economic than they currently are, although I guess cargo could make the difference.

 

[Seat0B]

Except some of the people who were on commercial flights can swap to facilitated flights and that takes some of the pressure away. Have to say I am feeling very miserable, but at least Master FM can travel J so that might help. Haven’t seen him since December 2019 and he hasn’t met his niece yet.

Feeling very similar. Haven't seen the Seat Son since January 2020, and he also has not met his new niece. We have offered to upgrade him to J if he can get the seat, but it is quite the challenge to get from Dubai to here in any class apparently.

I am additionally infuriated because he is leaving today for a 3 week holiday to Croatia, Germany and Slovakia. He's fully vaccinated and able to pretty much do what he wants, go where he wants, see who he wants - all except come home to see his family that is. I am fluctuating between fury, and despair. I know I'm not the only one in this boat but I am damn sick of it. For us all.

 

[burmans]

There were no dates in the announcement. PM said they will do some modelling over the next few weeks on what the vaccinated threshold is that they need to move to phase 2.

As in we have a plan but we wont tell you the planned dates or thresholds actually are because you might then expect we will actually do what we said we would? Can have that, didn't you know we aren't responsible for anything.

 

[Revenge]

I was messaging with @madrooster earlier, his view was that he was expecting a reduction in flights which happened previously.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Feeling very similar. Haven't seen the Seat Son since January 2020, and he also has not met his new niece. We have offered to upgrade him to J if he can get the seat, but it is quite the challenge to get from Dubai to here in any class apparently.

I am additionally infuriated because he is leaving today for a 3 week holiday to Croatia, Germany and Slovakia. He's fully vaccinated and able to pretty much do what he wants, go where he wants, see who he wants - all except come home to see his family that is. I am fluctuating between fury, and despair. I know I'm not the only one in this boat but I am damn sick of it. For us all.

Europe is way ahead of us on vaccinations, although I think our loony premiers (except Gladys), will try and insist on much higher vaccination rates before they move forward.

Hope he makes it - people did get back to Aus in January, even in economy, when the caps were slashed then as well. It’s all a bit luck of the draw.

I really don’t want to go through what we had with Dr FM then - it was so stressful! This will be better, as at least Master FM can work anywhere, whereas Dr FM was trying to get back to Australia to take up a dream job. Fortunately her hospital was understanding.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I am additionally infuriated because he is leaving today for a 3 week holiday to Croatia, Germany and Slovakia. He's fully vaccinated and able to pretty much do what he wants, go where he wants, see who he wants - all except come home to see his family that is. I am fluctuating between fury, and despair. I know I'm not the only one in this boat but I am damn sick of it. For us all.

Your blood should boil over this vaccination issue. As the Premier said, we are prisoners of our own success, touting low case numbers but still having the occasional lockdown and travel restrictions. Talk with your GP about the vaccine options and get the vaccine as soon as you can. I got my first dose of AstraZeneca in April 3rd as a Sydneysider in their 30s and just got their second dose on Saturday. I am grateful that I got it when I did, and look forward to living in a world where I am no longer a prisoner to these restrictions. All I will say is get vaccinated and encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated. Ignore the political rhetoric being made by the Prime Ministers of some states and focus on getting vaccinated.

The quicker we can get this done, the quicker we can get back to what matters in life: upgrading a discount long haul economy fare to Polaris business on United for 35,000 miles

-KangarooFlyer88

 

[Flying mermaid]

As in we have a plan but we wont tell you the planned dates or thresholds actually are because you might then expect we will actually do what we said we would? Can have that, didn't you know we aren't responsible for anything.

Be fair - he said they had people currently modelling the thresholds. That work has to be finished, then they have to get a bunch of squabbling premiers to agree to it before anything can be announced. Can you imagine the hysteria from Queensland and Western Australia if he just arbitrarily set thresholds and dates!

 

[Flying mermaid]

So reading more on the home quarantine for vaccinated travellers, it sounds like South Australia will do the trial and then based on that it could be started in phase 2.

I guess what it all comes down to is not only vaccinate, but proselytise. I have been doing that for months! My leading comment is “I have been vaccinated - what are you doing”. It gives people an opportunity to ask questions…..

 

[Seat0B]

Your blood should boil over this vaccination issue. As the Premier said, we are prisoners of our own success, touting low case numbers but still having the occasional lockdown and travel restrictions. Talk with your GP about the vaccine options and get the vaccine as soon as you can. I got my first dose of AstraZeneca in April 3rd as a Sydneysider in their 30s and just got their second dose on Saturday. I am grateful that I got it when I did, and look forward to living in a world where I am no longer a prisoner to these restrictions. All I will say is get vaccinated and encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated. Ignore the political rhetoric being made by the Prime Ministers of some states and focus on getting vaccinated.

The quicker we can get this done, the quicker we can get back to what matters in life: upgrading a discount long haul economy fare to Polaris business on United for 35,000 miles

-KangarooFlyer88

I've already had my first AZ (thanks @Flying mermaid) , just have to wait for the 12 week interlude. But it does not make one iota of difference to my situation. Maybe eventually, but not in any sort of timeframe that is anything like acceptable. My rage is burning right now and I just need to find some way to channel it. But that's OK because in 10 minutes I will be back to the depth of despair.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I've already had my first AZ (thanks @Flying mermaid) , just have to wait for the 12 week interlude. But it does not make one iota of difference to my situation. Maybe eventually, but not in any sort of timeframe that is anything like acceptable. My rage is burning right now and I just need to find some way to channel it. But that's OK because in 10 minutes I will be back to the depth of despair.

Right now, no it won't make much of a difference. But getting this out of the way will mean that once we enter these new phases you'll be able to enjoy them from day 1 rather than having to wait 8-12 weeks for the second dose of AstraZeneca or 3-4 weeks for Pfizer (supposing there is any in stock). At the same time, every Australian getting a dose of the vaccine will put us closer and closer to ending this madness. In my mind, as I was getting my vaccination I had the image of a sledgehammer slowly flying the air towards these restrictions. Here's to hoping it hits its target soon!

-KangarooFlyer88