Australian state border restrictions

[clifford]

What's COVID?

Ask me in 2-3 weeks time and I'll have a better answer...

Enjoy the pubs and nightclubs.

 

[jakeseven7]

Im in the same boat, off to Melbourne for xmas and all the fear mongers and lockdown lovers are in my face about cancelling...

Yawn just do it there’s always going to be a variant mutant something something and someone shrieking about it. I just finished up a few days in Melbourne and had an amazing time - as someone else said it’s pumping and there are some killer hotel deals in the great news places that popped up this year.

 

[N860CR]

I’ve ended up with a few days off between Xmas and NY so contemplated going to the Gold Coast. Can’t be too many cancellations, as even proper dives are $300 a night. Decided on the Hilton Fiji instead

 

[jb747]

I wonder how it would go if Vic and NSW simply ceased doing tests for people intending to travel. Or perhaps simply delay negative results for a minimum of 72 hours. If states want an arrival test, let them set up the infrastructure for it.

 

[Lynda2475]

I wonder how it would go if Vic and NSW simply ceased doing tests for people intending to travel. Or perhaps simply delay negative results for a minimum of 72 hours. If states want an arrival test, let them set up the infrastructure for it.

It would lead to more cancellations and also cause lots of people to lose a lot of money in prepaid accommodation. Most will only give credit ot refund if border close not this quasi closure where its impossible to comply.

 

[drron]

I wonder how it would go if Vic and NSW simply ceased doing tests for people intending to travel. Or perhaps simply delay negative results for a minimum of 72 hours. If states want an arrival test, let them set up the infrastructure for it.

It seems basically that's what's happening in NSW.
Niece had a swab yesterday as has symptoms and works in retail -told 48 hours for result. Her mother wanted one as a contact -told 72 hours.

Son and family had their swabs 68 hours ago to fly to Tassie. Only 1 result through at the moment. Fortunately negative.

 

[openseat]

Just turn off the phone when on holidays - no pesky “contact alerts”. Carry paper vaccination proof. Ignorance is bliss.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Flights from Sydney and Melbourne cancelled due to COVID exposure among airline staff​

ABC Sydney reporter Tim Swanston just gave an update on the situation on News Channel. Here's a bit of what he had to say:

"As if this season didn't need anymore more concern with these rising cases, but it appears as so many people in Sydney and Melbourne are becoming close contacts and required to isolate, especially with these long wait times for PCR tests in Sydney. There's quite a large number of staff that have been furloughed at this stage.

"So several Jetstar flights have been cancelled today at the last minute and a spokesperson does say that quite a large number of those people have been reaccommodated.

"But in a statement they say a large number of their front-line team members have been required to test and isolate as close contacts because of that increasing number of case in the general community. They appreciated the frustration that this causes. So it is a general frustration for many peoples in the industry at the moment as COVID is increasing."

 

[Must...Fly!]

The irony as all the airline staff in isolation will be in competition with all the travellers seeking to get tested.

Something has to be done as an absolute priority. Our workplace is becoming increasingly unworkable with current demands. One person spent 7 hours in a queue getting a PCR test two days ago after receiving a possible positive from a rapid antigen test. It's madness.

Personally the only thing I'm dreading is the queues to be tested as I don't have a car...I could imagine nothing worse than being ill and having to stand in a queue for hours for a test the government demands I have but cannot properly resource.

 

[hydrabyss]

It would lead to more cancellations and also cause lots of people to lose a lot of money in prepaid accommodation. Most will only give credit ot refund if border close not this quasi closure where its impossible to comply.

Not sure why anyone would risk prepaid accommodation these days but understand some operators do still require it.

 

[Lynda2475]

Personally the only thing I'm dreading is the queues to be tested as I don't have a car...I could imagine nothing worse than being ill and having to stand in a queue for hours for a test the government demands I have but cannot properly resource.

I dont have a car, but i reckon the walk-in test sites are much faster than the drive throughs, the logistics of parking cars makes its a slower process to test each person not to mention all the drama it causes blocking traffic on nearby roads with the queung.

Both options Im considering using are walk in only.

I notice Qld says 72 hours before arrival, so with losing an hour due to day light savings and 3 hour flying time plus 1 hour check-in time and travel time to airport, really only have 66.5 hours to get a result.

What happens if your flight is delayed, and you land with a test that is 73 hours old? Will you be turned away?

If Airlines are cancelling and consildating flights that can easily invalidate a lot of peoples test results, leaving no time to get another given >48hrs if you use any of the sites run by private labs and recent change taht says cant pay for aiport testing anymore uness travelling internationally.

 

[kamchatsky]

Not sure why anyone would risk prepaid accommodation these days but understand some operators do still require it.

One of the reason I cancelled our trip to Hamilton Island over Xmas 2 months ago was the cancellation policy of accommodation. It was cancel for free up to 1 month in advance ( all other accommodation on the island have the same or worse policies) I thought I just couldn't risk it. Now I look like a genius and will end up swimming in our backyard swimming pool instead.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I dont have a car, but i reckon the walk-in test sites are much faster than the drive throughs, the logistics of parking cars makes its a slower process to test each person not to mention all the drama it causes blocking traffic on nearby roads with the queung.

Both options Im considering using are walk in only.

I notice Qld says 72 hours before arrival, so with losing an hour due to day light savings and 3 hour flying time plus 1 hour check-in time and travel time to airport, really only have 66.5 hours to get a result.

What happens if your flight is delayed, and you land with a test that is 73 hours old? Will you be turned away?

If Airlines are cancelling and consildating flights that can easily invalidate a lot of peoples test results, leaving no time to get another given >48hrs if you use any of the sites run by private labs and recent change taht says cant pay for aiport testing anymore uness travelling internationally.

Was turned away at 3 CBD walk in sites. Finally found a drive through still open to queue but 7 hour wait.

 

[Lynda2475]

Not sure why anyone would risk prepaid accommodation these days but understand some operators do still require it.

Not just pre-paid but many have penalties if cancel on day of travel - which is likely of airines move flights in validating test results.

All my upcoming flights are Classic rewards, so nothing to lose there is I dont fly. All my accomodation for all trips from January onwards are fully refundable / free cancellation up until 2pm on the date of travel except this xmas trip.

Like kamchatsky i was entitled to a free refund up to 1 month in advance for any reason or if I test posiive to Covid pre -departure or if govenrment close the border (provided I notify them within 48hours of the rules changing) - so I assumed would be cool. At that time Queensland had said open borders from 15th Dec and there was no issues getting tests back in about 12 hours. Things have changed since then with timely testing being the problem.

Im pretty confident I will get a credit, but it is a pain.

Now if Qantas cancel the flight in validating test time frames then since its qantas hotel booking (was using a voucher in part and grabbing a 6* bonus points) I will be forcing them to credit me the full amount since their fault not mine I cant get there on time.

Post automatically merged: Dec 24, 2021

Was turned away at 3 CBD walk in sites. Finally found a drive through still open to queue but 7 hour wait.

DId you try the histopath one in the rocks? Its one fo the few open tomorrow and Sunday. If so what time?

I was hoping if I got ther 2 hours before opening I would be close to the front of the queue, as they still guarantee same day results.

 

[Must...Fly!]

DId you try the histopath one in the rocks? Its one fo the few open tomorrow and Sunday. If so what time?

This is in Melbourne...

 

[Lynda2475]

This is in Melbourne...

Ah ok, well hopefully not the case in Sydney next two days,

 

[jb747]

It would lead to more cancellations and also cause lots of people to lose a lot of money in prepaid accommodation. Most will only give credit ot refund if border close not this quasi closure where its impossible to comply.

Yes, but not in the states that are having their testing overwhelmed by people wanting to holiday in another state. If Qld wants tests at the border, then let them set up the system for it. If that results in no tourists, then perhaps a better system might be forthcoming. It won't whilst the cost can be passed off to someone else.

 

[Lynda2475]

Yes, but not in the states that are having their testing overwhelmed by people wanting to holiday in another state. If Qld wants tests at the border, then let them set up the system for it. If that results in no tourists, then perhaps a better system might be forthcoming. It won't whilst the cost can be passed off to someone else.

I dont disagree that the onus should be on Queensland to provide rapid arrivals testing, but if NSW and Vic stop locals from getting tests this weekend, its hurts both their tax payers as well as Queeensland.

If they are going to do this they need to enact a health order asap as that gives travellers a justification for a refund/credit, wishy washy please dont get tested unless you are sick requests helps no one.

 

[drron]

Sydney is not too crash hot when it comes to result.My families tests to come to Tassie came through 68 hours after testing just as their Uber turned up to go to the airport.
My niece who is symptomatic and works in retail is now at 48 hours post test with no result.

 

[Must...Fly!]

QLD and SA go up to high risk for people travelling to WA. Gotta keep covid out...