Australian state border restrictions

[exceladdict]

A couple of interesting comments from McGowan today.

Unvaccinated West Australian residents who want to travel domestically once the state drops its borders may not be allowed to return home, even if they're happy to quarantine. (Finally a solid candidate for a High Court challenge, for those of you who've been salivating for one!)

McGowan said the transition date for new border arrangements would be set (probably in the next week) subject to any developments with the Omicron strain. So, some uncertainty will continue - not surprising, but .... boo!

Unvaccinated West Australians may not be let back in after borders open, McGowan warns

Unvaccinated West Australians who want to travel domestically once the state drops its borders may not be able to return home, Premier Mark McGowan has warned.

www.watoday.com.au

Gah I missed this yesterday. Disappointed, I was expecting an announcement today or tomorrow.

Things seem to have slowed down despite the vaccination drive and mandates, with the ABC now projecting WA hits 80% next week and 90% late January (this appears to be 16+, screenshot taken 9 dec).



Currently 76% and 86% of 12+ population. So, based on Mark's thresholds, I am now firming up on a late Jan opening at the earliest.

 

[jrfsp]

NT scrapping red zones from 20 December.

"NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner says for people who are fully vaccinated must:
Show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours before arrival
Get a test within 72 hours of arrival in the NT
and a test on day six of their stay"

"Travellers must also remain in Greater Darwin, Alice Springs and [Darwin] ?? for the first 14 days of their stay, to stop the virus spreading to remote communities. Mr Gunner said those communities remained vulnerable to COVID-19."



Looks like Uluru will be off the cards for alot of interstate visitors then if the reporting is correct!

 

[PineappleSkip]

Gah I missed this yesterday. Disappointed, I was expecting an announcement today or tomorrow.

Things seem to have slowed down despite the vaccination drive and mandates, with the ABC now projecting WA hits 80% next week and 90% late January (this appears to be 16+, screenshot taken 9 dec).

View attachment 266718

Currently 76% and 86% of 12+ population. So, based on Mark's thresholds, I am now firming up on a late Jan opening at the earliest.

The Guardian's vaccine tracker and predictor is showing very similar numbers, so yeah Qld and WA likely opening up to International right at the end of Jan. Still a bit doubtful as the smaller the unvaccinated group becomes, the slower the progress.

Covid-19 vaccine Australia rollout tracker​

 

[oz_mark]

Gah I missed this yesterday. Disappointed, I was expecting an announcement today or tomorrow.

Things seem to have slowed down despite the vaccination drive and mandates, with the ABC now projecting WA hits 80% next week and 90% late January (this appears to be 16+, screenshot taken 9 dec).

Currently 76% and 86% of 12+ population. So, based on Mark's thresholds, I am now firming up on a late Jan opening at the earliest.

Most of what I am hearing points to a date in Feb around the 10th.

But that data has moved around a bit over the last few weeks.

 

[Must...Fly!]

NT scrapping red zones from 20 December.

"NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner says for people who are fully vaccinated must:
Show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours before arrival
Get a test within 72 hours of arrival in the NT
and a test on day six of their stay"

"Travellers must also remain in Greater Darwin, Alice Springs and [Darwin] ?? for the first 14 days of their stay, to stop the virus spreading to remote communities. Mr Gunner said those communities remained vulnerable to COVID-19."



Looks like Uluru will be off the cards for alot of interstate visitors then if the reporting is correct!

Sensible in part. But what are they going to do when cases pop up in Darwin. Anyone in the community is then a "risk" to the remote communities

 

[jakeseven7]

NT scrapping red zones from 20 December.

"NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner says for people who are fully vaccinated must:
Show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours before arrival
Get a test within 72 hours of arrival in the NT
and a test on day six of their stay"

"Travellers must also remain in Greater Darwin, Alice Springs and [Darwin] ?? for the first 14 days of their stay, to stop the virus spreading to remote communities. Mr Gunner said those communities remained vulnerable to COVID-19."



Looks like Uluru will be off the cards for alot of interstate visitors then if the reporting is correct!

Yea too hard basket sorry NT. We won’t be having any of our conferences there for sure now. Keep it to the more sensible states.

I am happy though that this will allow families to reunite if they wish to go through that process.

 

[Doctore1003]

I’m only looking at the numbers McGowan is posting daily on FB. As of yesterday, WA is 88.4% first dose (going up 0.2% per day this week) and 78.6% double dose (going up 0.4% per day). This is 12 years +

So, should hit 80% double dose this weekend, 90% first dose late next week, then 90% double dose 3-6 weeks after that (ie in Jan some time).

 

[Lynda2475]

Looks like Uluru will be off the cards for alot of interstate visitors then if the reporting is correct!

Takes Kakadu and Katherine off the table too. No one is going to want to spend 14 days in Darwin so that they can then spend 3 days at Uluru/Kings Canyon/Kakadu/Katherine.

Darwin is not much a a tourist attraction in its own right more a base to head to Kakadu (or a base for off duty miners). Similarly Alice Springs is a base for visiting Palm Valley, Hermansburg, Simpsons Gap and trekking in the McDonald Ranges - not enough to do if you just stay in town once you've been to the RFDS base and Art Gallery.

 

[Flashback]

Takes Kakadu and Katherine off the table too. No one is going to want to spend 14 days in Darwin so that they can then spend 3 days at Uluru/Kings Canyon/Kakadu/Katherine.

Darwin is not much a a tourist attraction in its own right more a base to head to Kakadu (or a base for off duty miners). Similarly Alice Springs is a base for visiting Palm Valley, Hermansburg, Simpsons Gap and trekking in the McDonald Ranges - not enough to do if you just stay in town once you've been to the RFDS base and Art Gallery.

The AFF do spent there says otherwise.

 

[nutwood]

I left Adelaide today, enroute for Wagga. There's a manned Covid checkpoint just to the east of Pinnaroo, stopping all west bound traffic. Also a drive through test site in Pinnaroo. From memory, 8.15am - 4.30 pm operating hours.
Heading east, we didn't even get a wave, just an illuminated sign warning us we might not get back in once we crossed the line.

 

[MooTime]

Been using the NSW Service app this week as I'm in NSW. I'm from Mel.

Everytime I go to qr in, I have to either using biometric or pin to use the app, then have to click no dependants each time. Have dependent, but just easier to not put them in, geez. If one of us covid we're all covid really FFS.
Then actually have to put a check out time in, usually once I'm home or checking into new venue I notice it.

Such a pain compared to the Vic app, just open app, scan, one click yes, then on my way.

How others find this Vic/NSW apps?

Extremely high checking of vaccine proof in Coffs Harbour. Instilled into staff, odd loose entry. Also very impressed with mask wearing in locations where need be. Even with humidity this week.

 

[hydrabyss]

Been using the NSW Service app this week as I'm in NSW. I'm from Mel.

Everytime I go to qr in, I have to either using biometric or pin to use the app, then have to click no dependants each time. Have dependent, but just easier to not put them in, geez. If one of us covid we're all covid really FFS.
Then actually have to put a check out time in, usually once I'm home or checking into new venue I notice it.

Such a pain compared to the Vic app, just open app, scan, one click yes, then on my way.

How others find this Vic/NSW apps?

Extremely high checking of vaccine proof in Coffs Harbour. Instilled into staff, odd loose entry. Also very impressed with mask wearing in locations where need be. Even with humidity this week.

After first use it should save info and then be the same as Vic. You may need to select save to keep your details and stop the pin number.

 

[Lynda2475]

Personally i love check out feature it means you dont get inadvertently caught up as a close contact as can prove when left. 1 tap when you leave simples.

 

[Flashback]

Personally i love check out feature it means you dont get inadvertently caught up as a close contact as can prove when left. 1 tap when you leave simples.

Or just don't check in......

 

[ellen10]

Been using the NSW Service app this week as I'm in NSW. I'm from Mel.

Everytime I go to qr in, I have to either using biometric or pin to use the app, then have to click no dependants each time. Have dependent, but just easier to not put them in, geez. If one of us covid we're all covid really FFS.
Then actually have to put a check out time in, usually once I'm home or checking into new venue I notice it.

Such a pain compared to the Vic app, just open app, scan, one click yes, then on my way.

How others find this Vic/NSW apps?

Extremely high checking of vaccine proof in Coffs Harbour. Instilled into staff, odd loose entry. Also very impressed with mask wearing in locations where need be. Even with humidity this week.

@MooTime Being from NSW I guess you get familiar with the app. I do like the feature that if you forget to check out you can go back in later and and back date your check out time.

We were up north around the Coffs Harbour area a few weeks ago and yes they were very vigilant with checkin in processes.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Such a pain compared to the Vic app, just open app, scan, one click yes, then on my way.

How others find this Vic/NSW apps?

In theory I’d like the choose your checkout time feature in NSW but in practice I forget checkout 80% of the time. Used to the Qld app which is checkin only, and if I ever got interviewed as a contact or case I would be able to verify checkout times using receipts, next checkin, etc, in the bulk of cases.

Thumbs up to the ACT app which allows you to use your Qld app to checkin instead of downloading another. At least that’s what I read; 14 days solitary confinement got in the way of actually visiting ACT..

cheers skip

 

[kookaburra75]

In theory I’d like the choose your checkout time feature in NSW but in practice I forget checkout 80% of the time. Used to the Qld app which is checkin only, and if I ever got interviewed as a contact or case I would be able to verify checkout times using receipts, next checkin, etc, in the bulk of cases.

Thumbs up to the ACT app which allows you to use your Qld app to checkin instead of downloading another. At least that’s what I read; 14 days solitary confinement got in the way of actually visiting ACT..

cheers skip

I'm much the same, having used the Vic, NSW, ACT & Qld apps in the past six months. Qld is based on the ACT app, as is Tas, so you can use ACT app int hose states, and vice versa. I too keep forgetting to Check Out with the NSW App, although that feature isn't bullet proof, as you could in theory Check Out before leaving a venue.

But, don't get me started on which was the most difficult of the Apps to load my vaccination certificate in to.... NSW.

 

[jb747]

@MooTime Being from NSW I guess you get familiar with the app. I do like the feature that if you forget to check out you can go back in later and and back date your check out time.

Check out 1 minute after you checked in….

I'm much the same, having used the Vic, NSW, ACT & Qld apps in the past six months. Qld is based on the ACT app, as is Tas, so you can use ACT app int hose states, and vice versa. I too keep forgetting to Check Out with the NSW App, although that feature isn't bullet proof, as you could in theory Check Out before leaving a venue.

I think it rejects a checkout before check in.

But, don't get me started on which was the most difficult of the Apps to load my vaccination certificate in to.... NSW.

It was a real pain to set it up for my 91 year old mother. I think she’s just decided that she doesn’t need to cross the border any more.

 

[Lynda2475]

Everytime I go to qr in, I have to either using biometric or pin to use the app

You can turn this off in settings. Its there because Service NSW is more than a check-in app, it can store your digital drivers license and other sensitive data.

I like that new dine & discover vouchers come through automatically, no need to reapply each time they add more, just spend away.

Then actually have to put a check out time in,

You can turn check out reminders off or change the timing for check out reminders in settings.

You can also choose to not log out, but comes with risk of being incorrectly deemed a close contact and then having to prove by other means when you left, if you didn't make a purchase or check in somewhere else shortly there after this can be problematic.

Or just don't check in......

In NSW from 15th you will only need to check-in at high risk settings.

However not checking is not an option if you want to get into the Qantas Lounge or Pub or Theatre or concert or professional sporting event nor visit someone in a nursing home or hospital. So fine not to if you don't want to attend certain events.

But, don't get me started on which was the most difficult of the Apps to load my vaccination certificate in to.... NSW.

I had zero issues adding vaccination certificate to nsw app, i followed the instructions in the email that was sent out and it was easy.

Everyone will have different preferences, but if you invest time to configure settings that suit you, you will find NSW app is in fact very flexible.

 

[jakeseven7]

Or just don't check in......

Yes much easier to just not check in, in most places in NSW. I’m heading to Melbourne shortly and because of the vaccine requirement for hospo and retail it’s apparently much harder not to check in, will report back!