Australian state border restrictions

[jase05]

Its a tough one but given on Dec 17 (or earlier) someone could very easily go MEL/SYD -> BNE -> PER and enter with no quarantine versus having to do quarantine if they flew direct - then by the hermit kingdom's rules that would be a defcon 10 breach....

So technically they would have to shut the border to QLD as well (Again).

It is going to be very messy for WA and anyone trying to get there.

Now if SA and TAS jumps on board the new NSW/VIC/ACT/QLD 'Christmas alliance', WA will truly be cut off from everyone.

I’m of two minds. I wouldn’t be surprised if WA was still so far behind with their vaccinations that they still were throwing people in hotel prison in Jan….

BUT after yesterday’s press conference and the growling everyone in WA got from Daddy (just like QLD started to a couple of weeks ago that has now resulted in a deadline or tough luck) I think the WA Gov are now starting to feel quite embarrassed about where they are at and could well surprise us all and announce something similar to be open for business…

Doubtful IMO.
He seemed quite firm that it won’t be until next year in his presser yesterday.

 

[jakeseven7]

Doubtful IMO.
He seemed quite firm that it won’t be until next year in his presser yesterday.

I tend to agree, but then again so did our premier a month or so ago….remember we wanted 6 month old babies and Father Christmas jabbed first before opening (notwithstanding no vaccine is approved for this anywhere in the world ).

Put it this way - I’m never surprised how quickly a politician can change their tune….And WA got yelled at yesterday by Daddy to hurry up, so it’s a start at least… they must be getting ripples of discontent…

 

[jase05]

I tend to agree, but then again so did our premier a month or so ago….remember we wanted 6 month old babies and Father Christmas jabbed first before opening (notwithstanding no vaccine is approved for this anywhere in the world ).

Put it this way - I’m never surprised how quickly a politician can change their tune….And WA got yelled at yesterday by Daddy to hurry up, so it’s a start at least… they must be getting ripples of discontent…

Running out of FIFO workers more like it

 

[jakeseven7]

Running out of FIFO workers more like it

Yes this too plus the FIFO’s who are still going are completely over WA’s border policies due to the simple fact the vaccination program is so far behind.

 

[sydneyboi]

Im hopeful no tests will be needed to travel from NSW to QLD come late January when the "xmas rush" either side of the border is over....

 

[N860CR]

Im hopeful no tests will be needed to travel from NSW to QLD come late January when the "xmas rush" either side of the border is over....

I don’t see how it would be sustainable long term. It would involve a huge amount of processing by Qld police and they don’t have the resources to do it on a large scale (ie one flight an hour from Sydney and Melbourne).

 

[Lynda2475]

Im hopeful no tests will be needed to travel from NSW to QLD come late January when the "xmas rush" either side of the border is over

That is too late, the stupid pre-departure and multiple day post arrival test requirement needs to be scrapped before Christmas or people will simply holiday elsewhere.

Otherwise for the average 1 week visit you have to test 3 times - 2 days before departure (still no word on whether free covid tests accepted), on arrival day 1 and again on day 5. So basically you cant plan any activities on day 1 or 5 as have to go and find a testing centre most of which dont open til 9am, so say goodbye to any reef trips or other day trips etc which all depart before 8am.

 

[justinbrett]

That is too late, the stupid pre-departure and multiple day post arrival test requirement needs to be scrapped before Christmas or people will simply holiday elsewhere.

Otherwise for the average 1 week visit you have to test 3 times - 2 days before departure (still no word on whether free covid tests accepted), on arrival day 1 and again on day 5. So basically you cant plan any activities on day 1 or 5 as have to go and find a testing centre most of which dont open til 9am, so say goodbye to any reef trips or other day trips etc which all depart before 8am.

Where did you hear there are any tests required post entry? I can't find any reference to that.

 

[N860CR]

Also raises the question of who funds the test. Currently, our health system is laying out god knows how much money on testing largely for the fun of it. Need a test to travel overseas though and the MasterCard comes out. I would expect the same to be required if you’re simply taking a jolly up to the Gold Coast. That’ll be enough to turn more than a few off.

 

[jakeseven7]

I don’t see how it would be sustainable long term. It would involve a huge amount of processing by Qld police and they don’t have the resources to do it on a large scale (ie one flight an hour from Sydney and Melbourne).

Given the airlines are refusing to do the covid test check it means enormous amounts of qld police resources will need to be allocated to road crossings and airports. 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

How cursory do we think these checks are going to be when a QF A330 and JQ A320 are arriving every 30 mins from the south. Or thousands of cars a day…

 

[kamchatsky]

I have booking to go to HTI from SYD on Xmas - New Year period. Given that we still need to do a negative test 72 hours prior to flight, I think I have to cancel it given I have small kids and given they are not vaccinated. The whole plan could go kabosh last minute, and my hotel bookings have free cancellation only up to 1 month prior to travel.

The risk is just not worth it.

 

[MooTime]

If these domestic covid vax checks do go ahead, I'd imagine it's just scan your Boarding Pass & show the vax on phone, 2 in 1 move, another 3 seconds.
Maybe the covid digital certificate could be linked to show up on the BP......or is that above airlines IT tech??

those without covid cert on phone can hit the geriatric line, grab a herbal tea & be rebooked on next flight as I can see the trouble & healthy discussion there!

I agree all seems to difficult, once we hit 90% who cares about the other 10%, no alternative. We can't cater for the minority.

 

[Lynda2475]

Where did you hear there are any tests required post entry? I can't find any reference to that.

It was proposed on Monday, looks like since changed with just the pre departure test.

Still too much trouble, the 3 days before departure for me are xmas eve, xmas day and boxing day so not practical to go hunting for a testing clinic. I dont have a car so cant do drive through and no guarantee the walk ups none of which are close by will be open.

I can cancel flights and hotel up to the day before, and will be doing so if the test requirements isn't removed by Xmas eve.

Qld need to learn to trust vaccinations not rely of PCR for domestic travellers. Especially since the vax rate everywhere otehr than WA is much higher than their own.

 

[antycbr]

If these domestic covid vax checks do go ahead, I'd imagine it's just scan your Boarding Pass & show the vax on phone, 2 in 1 move, another 3 seconds.
Maybe the covid digital certificate could be linked to show up on the BP......or is that above airlines IT tech??

those without covid cert on phone can hit the geriatric line, grab a herbal tea & be rebooked on next flight as I can see the trouble & healthy discussion there!

I agree all seems to difficult, once we hit 90% who cares about the other 10%, no alternative. We can't cater for the minority.

The airlines have no legal authority to check that you comply with the entry requirements of a state.

A country, yes. A state or territory no.

The Commowealth regulates interstate air travel and I can't see them being interested in enforcing petty vaccination rules between states.

 

[PineappleSkip]

These Qld rules look more and more absurd the more I look at them. I am in the habit of doing one day visits BNE to SYD as would many a road warrior. The only guidance is the web page with the pretty PDF download. The web page just says COVID test 72 hours before arrival back, but not where, so to avoid the 1 hour fee it appears I would want to get the test before departing BNE.

Not. Thought. Through.

 

[Port Power]

I have booking to go to HTI from SYD on Xmas - New Year period. Given that we still need to do a negative test 72 hours prior to flight, I think I have to cancel it given I have small kids and given they are not vaccinated. The whole plan could go kabosh last minute, and my hotel bookings have free cancellation only up to 1 month prior to travel.

The risk is just not worth it.

Vaccination doesn’t apply to young children, and I doubt a pre-flight PCR test would either.

 

[Lynda2475]

and I doubt a pre-flight PCR test would either

I wouldn't bet on that.

The age group with the largest number of cases in NSW in the last week was under 12s, I would expect kids will have to be tested even if they don't have to be vaccinated.

 

[Port Power]

I wouldn't bet on that.

The age group with the largest number of cases in NSW in the last week was under 12s, I would expect kids will have to be tested even if they don't have to be vaccinated.

But what age “under 12”? I cannot see 1-5 year olds having PCR tests, much less babies.

 

[kamchatsky]

Vaccination doesn’t apply to young children, and I doubt a pre-flight PCR test would either.

Not true for pre-entry test for children:

Children aged under 12 years old will automatically be exempt (from vaccination), but they will need to have a negative COVID-19 test before arriving in Queensland and be travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.

COVID-19 in Queensland

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Queenslanders

www.covid19.qld.gov.au

That's why it is not worth the risk.

 

[Lynda2475]

But what age “under 12”? I cannot see 1-5 year olds having PCR tests, much less babies.

But they testing these ages groups now. NSW published a chart on Monday that showed the most cases in these age groups, they are tested and dont just assuming they have covid.

If a fully vaxed adult has to get a useless test, then an unvaccinated child (who is more likely to have covid) can also be tested.

and @kamchatsky just confirmed they do need a negative test.