Australian state border restrictions

[oz_ally]

Yeah, sorry to pass on/confirm bad news.......Qld has a 'confines of the airport' rule. Once you have left the confines of the airport you are considered in the red zone.

Aaah crud. Is Melbourne airport even open all night? Maybe I should’ve just sucked it up and slept like a hobo in a corner somewhere. Is that even allowed? Oh well looks like I’ve got some fun times ahead thanks for replying @Scarlett and @HappyFlyerFamily

 

[Must...Fly!]

Now far be it for me to find a way around this and certainly this is nothing but an exploratory discussion, but I believe the Queensland government say confines of the airport, not confines of the airport terminal.

So perhaps (note, perhaps) if one stayed within the boundaries of the Melbourne Airport boundary, but not within the terminal, one could state one never left the airport.

And if one was to visit this PDF https://www.melbourneairport.com.au...D-Strategy-Final_High-Res-compressed.pdf.aspx and view page 27 and compare the location of the Ibis with the Melbourne Airport site boundary, perhaps one would have some evidence to back up the claim.

Whether it would pass the pub test (or indeed the QLD government test) and worth the punishment if an authority were to disagree is another matter. Probably by confines of the airport, they mean the airport terminal. But the question came up in my mind so I thought it would interesting to look in to.

Hope you get home soon @oz_ally

EDIT:

Ahh, well it turns out that I am not the first person to think about this and the legislation very specifically rules my pondering as pointless.

Confines of the airport means the terminal or terminals of an airport used for the arrival and departure of aircraft and passengers by air, or the area of an airport that the person uses to transfer directly between terminals.

Example: a person did not leave the confines of the airport if they stay in a passenger terminal until their next flight or transferred directly between terminals to depart on their flight. However, a person leaves the confines of the airport if they go to a hotel in the airport precinct and stay overnight.

Border Restrictions Direction (No. 60)

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 in Queensland and manage outbreaks, the Queensland Government has put in place declaration requirements for all travel into Queensland from interstate and New Zealand (on quarantine free flights).

www.health.qld.gov.au

 

[oz_ally]

Now far be it for me to find a way around this and certainly this is nothing but an exploratory discussion, but I believe the Queensland government say confines of the airport, not confines of the airport terminal.

So perhaps (note, perhaps) if one stayed within the boundaries of the Melbourne Airport boundary, but not within the terminal, one could state one never left the airport.

And if one was to visit this PDF https://www.melbourneairport.com.au...D-Strategy-Final_High-Res-compressed.pdf.aspx and view page 27 and compare the location of the Ibis with the Melbourne Airport site boundary, perhaps one would have some evidence to back up the claim.

Whether it would pass the pub test (or indeed the QLD government test) is another matter, but the question came up in my mind so I thought it was worth looking in to.

Hope you get home soon @oz_ally

That was my train of thought as well hence the reason I tried to get confirmation from the Covid-19 helpline. I will try calling again in the morning and hopefully get some clarity. I just don’t want to risk it biting me in the bum if I choose that option and end up with a fine. I mean it’s not like I went into the city. It’s just an 800m walk away and I kept my mask on and have no intention of leaving this room until I checkout at midday tomorrow. I’d be around far more people inside the airport building than I’ve encountered here (entirely one - reception guy).

EDIT I just saw your edit. Well that confirms it. Thank you so much for all the info. It might not be what I hoped but at least I know now.

 

[Mattg]

@oz_ally I would definitely not be accepting a connection via MEL. Can you change the Qantas booking to fly via BNE? Fly Jetstar to CNS and then QantasLink to ROK? Cancel and rebook on VA via BNE? Literally anything that avoids staying overnight in a QLD-delcared covid hotspot would be better.

 

[pagingjoan]

@oz_ally I would definitely not be accepting a connection via MEL. Can you change the Qantas booking to fly via BNE? Fly Jetstar to CNS and then QantasLink to ROK? Cancel and rebook on VA via BNE? Literally anything that avoids staying overnight in a QLD-delcared covid hotspot would be better.

A little late, I think.
The deed is done.
oz_ally is well and truly stuck in Melbourne.
In good company, is the only consolation.

 

[MARTINE]

A little late, I think.
The deed is done.
oz_ally is well and truly stuck in Melbourne.
In good company, is the only consolation.

….my sympathies in this mess… at least the coffee is good??

 

[MARTINE]

Has anyone tried out this website?

Where can I travel in Australia? Current Travel Restrictions : Know Not No

Check the Latest COVID-19 Travel Restrictions, Border Closures and Hot Spots Register for alerts if Travel Restrictions change for your trip. Stay in the Know.

www.knownotno.com

They claim to offer up-to-date info on COVID-19 travel restrictions across Australia.

… must have a team of 100 updating every 10 secs…

 

[oz_ally]

Yes I am currently here in Melbourne. I think I forgot to mention that I booked with virgin originally so I just took the flights as offered. But remember I booked before all lockdowns and the changes all happened while I was in Darwin. There were 4 flight changes and a couple pretty much just before I left Darwin. I never originally had this 23 hour transit time in Melbourne and naively didn’t think staying at a motel 800m away would stuff me up. Still no word about my border permit. Not sure how long I have to reschedule my flights today if it doesn’t come very soon. But there are no flights to Brisbane tomorrow so I might be here until Wednesday.

And yes I am in the best place for coffee Ibis has a free setup downstairs with a free machine that makes coffee, tea, mocha, hot chocolate etc. There’s a Maccas and BP 2mins walk away too.

 

[Pushka]

Yes I am currently here in Melbourne. I think I forgot to mention that I booked with virgin originally so I just took the flights as offered. But remember I booked before all lockdowns and the changes all happened while I was in Darwin. There were 4 flight changes and a couple pretty much just before I left Darwin. I never originally had this 23 hour transit time in Melbourne and naively didn’t think staying at a motel 800m away would stuff me up. Still no word about my border permit. Not sure how long I have to reschedule my flights today if it doesn’t come very soon. But there are no flights to Brisbane tomorrow so I might be here until Wednesday.

And yes I am in the best place for coffee Ibis has a free setup downstairs with a free machine that makes coffee, tea, mocha, hot chocolate etc. There’s a Maccas and BP 2mins walk away too.

Sounds like you are going to have some down time in isolation so as a relative newbie, trundling through AFF here might provide some distraction. And hopefully some enjoyment.

 

[nutwood]

I can't help but feel that airlines are going to have to start taking some responsibility for airport transits. If you book a flight A-B-C which they subsequently change to A-D-C and D has Covid issues, is this the passengers problem?
Perhaps they need to negotiate to have specified transit areas and procedures accepted? It wouldn't be hard. Not as though the terminals are packed out with travellers!

 

[jakeseven7]

I can't help but feel that airlines are going to have to start taking some responsibility for airport transits. If you book a flight A-B-C which they subsequently change to A-D-C and D has Covid issues, is this the passengers problem?
Perhaps they need to negotiate to have specified transit areas and procedures accepted? It wouldn't be hard. Not as though the terminals are packed out with travellers!

Yes because the airlines aren’t doing it tough enough already we should penalise them for this and give them more work to keep up to speed with our jack in the box premiers.

 

[oz_ally]

Does anyone know how long before checkin I have before cancelling my flight just in case I don’t get my permit on time? Boarding is at 16:50. And just noticed the virgin checkin lady in Darwin already checked me in so I’d only have to bag drop. I know I’ll have to call rather than do it online.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Does anyone know how long before checkin I have before cancelling my flight just in case I don’t get my permit on time? Boarding is at 16:50. And just noticed the virgin checkin lady in Darwin already checked me in so I’d only have to bag drop. I know I’ll have to call rather than do it online.

Personally I'd be going for a short walk to the terminal and just telling the service desk the story. They can certainly remove you from being checked in, and I would hope would be willing enough to move you to the next available. Added benefit, chance you could wait until the last moment in case permit comes through

 

[hydrabyss]

Not really anything we don't know but confirmation of what will be hard for some when it comes to families in other states.
States will keep their borders closed to NSW for ‘much of the rest of this year’

 

[nutwood]

Yes because the airlines aren’t doing it tough enough already we should penalise them for this and give them more work to keep up to speed with our jack in the box premiers.

Not really penalising airlines. More a case of putting procedures in place that'll give people more confidence to travel. Someone booking to travel from one Covid free destination to another does not expect to end up in hotel quarantine and bad news stories travel widely.

 

[oz_ally]

Personally I'd be going for a short walk to the terminal and just telling the service desk the story. They can certainly remove you from being checked in, and I would hope would be willing enough to move you to the next available. Added benefit, chance you could wait until the last moment in case permit comes through

Yeah I’m going to have to go over anyway because I need to find a chemist. Just hope there’s one landside.

 

[Port Power]

Does anyone know how long before checkin I have before cancelling my flight just in case I don’t get my permit on time? Boarding is at 16:50. And just noticed the virgin checkin lady in Darwin already checked me in so I’d only have to bag drop. I know I’ll have to call rather than do it online.

If I was in your situation, I would board the flight and go. On arrival, explain that you still had not received a response to your permit request. You won’t be the only one: every flight I have taken, there are passengers who have not even done their border entry. You already realise you will have to do quarantine.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

If I was in your situation, I would board the flight and go. On arrival, explain that you still had not received a response to your permit request. You won’t be the only one: every flight I have taken, there are passengers who have not done their border entry. You already realise you will have to do quarantine.

Agree with Port power - I think you'll be stuck in Brisbane

Yeah I’m going to have to go over anyway because I need to find a chemist. Just hope there’s one landside.

Unless your chemist visit is because you are symptomatic

 

[Port Power]

Not really penalising airlines. More a case of putting procedures in place that'll give people more confidence to travel. Someone booking to travel from one Covid free destination to another does not expect to end up in hotel quarantine and bad news stories travel widely.

No, it would just be too much more work for airline staff, and it is not their responsibility anyway. When booking flights, there is a big banner advising to check requirements to travel where you are booking. At the airport there are continuous announcements advising it is your responsibility to have the right documentation. People flying now know what to do unless they’ve been living off grid in a cave. If passengers have the wrong paperwork, police at the other end will help sort it out.

The procedures are already in place. Confidence to travel has nothing to do with correct border entry permits, but whether borders will remain open by the time you travel (or return).

 

[MARTINE]

Yeah I’m going to have to go over anyway because I need to find a chemist. Just hope there’s one landside.

https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Passengers/At-the-airport/Shop-eat/Amcal-pharmac_

all the

Post automatically merged: Aug 9, 2021

https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Passengers/At-the-airport/Shop-eat/Amcal-pharmac_

all the

Sorry don’t know what happened to my text- above are amcal locations and I too would get on the flight - you’ll be closer to home in any case…