China travel bans from Late 2022

[MEL_Traveller]

The restrictions/requirements for travellers from China is racial and there is no evidence otherwise. Some of the comments here to try and justify these new restrictions don't hold up when you (a) consider the vast majority of medical professionals have actually spoken AGAINST these restrictions; and (b) actually do a basic level of research and see that the worst variants currently circulating are in the US and UK.

Also, if we don't 'trust' China with regards to anything - what's the point of a pre-departure test when these can easily be faked?

Also, for those comments about why 'Australians are bothered because it doesn't concern them" - that's pretty outrageous. If something wrong has occurred, even if it doesn't affect you, it doesn't mean you just don't care.

Travellers *to* China require a negative test. This shows the measures are health-based. And there is no corresponding level of media or social media interest in those measures.

Thousands of people are boarding cruise ships in Australia every day, all having completed a covid test. There is no corresponding level of media and social media comment in that requirement. People just do it and get on with enjoying their holiday.

The CMO recommended testing through four different methods. Pre-departure testing is an alternative to those.

There are plenty of examples where ‘wrongs’ are keenly pursued by Australians and the Australian government. An incoming negative test is not in the same category as those other issues.

 

[Mr H]

Travellers *to* China require a negative test. This shows the measures are health-based. And there is no corresponding level of media or social media interest in those measures.

China is reducing its restrictions, not increasing them.

Thousands of people are boarding cruise ships in Australia every day, all having completed a covid test. There is no corresponding level of media and social media comment in that requirement. People just do it and get on with enjoying their holiday.

You yourself said you thought this was unfair when it was applied to you. And as has been pointed out to you numerous times, this is imposed by the cruise companies, not by government regulation.

The CMO recommended testing through four different methods. Pre-departure testing is an alternative to those.

These are not alternatives. The CMO proposals are designed to understand the nature of the virus in China which seems to be the fig-leaf that the 'testers' are using to justify restrictions. Stopping people boarding planes if they are positive actually denies our scientists an opportunity to study the pathology of the virus in China.

Travellers *to* China require a negative test. This shows the measures are health-based. And there is no corresponding level of media or social media interest in those measures.

Thousands of people are boarding cruise ships in Australia every day, all having completed a covid test. There is no corresponding level of media and social media comment in that requirement. People just do it and get on with enjoying their holiday.

The CMO recommended testing through four different methods. Pre-departure testing is an alternative to those.

There are plenty of examples where ‘wrongs’ are keenly pursued by Australians and the Australian government. An incoming negative test is not in the same category as those other issues.

It is deeply racist and championed by those who have a dislike of China (e.g. just look at the way they use Alt-right terminology like CCP). It runs exactly counter to the scientific advice and actually prevents us from addressing the only real problem which is not trusting Chinese data on pathology of the virus - which in any case I suspect to be a chimera.

You and the Health Minister appear to have hitched your wagon to the wrong horse. It is not too late to change it.

 

[Pushka]

Testing for cruises in Australian waters is a Government requirement. Some cruise lines insist on more regular testing. No one in the media squeaks a word of complaint. Nor do the medical people. Nor do people not taking cruises.

 

[Mr H]

Testing for cruises in Australian waters is a Government requirement. Some cruise lines insist on more regular testing. No one in the media squeaks a word of complaint. Nor do the medical people. Nor do people not taking cruises.

Despite repeated requests to point to the regulation, all anyone has managed to find is guidance.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

China is reducing its restrictions, not increasing them.



You yourself said you thought this was unfair when it was applied to you. And as has been pointed out to you numerous times, this is imposed by the cruise companies, not by government regulation.



These are not alternatives. The CMO proposals are designed to understand the nature of the virus in China which seems to be the fig-leaf that the 'testers' are using to justify restrictions. Stopping people boarding planes if they are positive actually denies our scientists an opportunity to study the pathology of the virus in China.



It is deeply racist and championed by those who have a dislike of China (e.g. just look at the way they use Alt-right terminology like CCP). It runs exactly counter to the scientific advice and actually prevents us from addressing the only real problem which is not trusting Chinese data on pathology of the virus - which in any case I suspect to be a chimera.

You and the Health Minister appear to have hitched your wagon to the wrong horse. It is not too late to change it.

The requirement for a negative test still remains in place for travel to China.

I thought it was unfair only because I thought my cruise company was unilaterally imposing a requirement that no one else was following. That turns out not to be the case and it was mandated by government.

The rules posted are pretty clear on that.

 

[Mr H]

The requirement for a negative test still remains in place for travel to China.

I thought it was unfair only because I thought my cruise company was unilaterally imposing a requirement that no one else was following. That turns out not to be the case and it was mandated by government.

The rules posted are pretty clear on that.

It was not mandated by Government.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It was not mandated by Government.

The Federal page on cruise advice refers you to the relevant states, as is indeed appropriate.

The relevant state governments have requirements on both passengers and cruise companies. One of those requirements is that passengers must undergo a covid test before being allowed to board.

 

[Pushka]

Despite repeated requests to point to the regulation, all anyone has managed to find is guidance.

I posted the link on Monday from NSW Dept of Health .

A copy of some of that

6 Testing Protocols
6.1 Passengers who are symptomatic at the time of boarding must have a negative rapid-PCR test before they are able to board the ship (as per 3.2).
6.2 Passengers must have a PCR test within 48 hours before boarding, or a self-administered RAT within 24 hours before boarding. Cruise lines will advise passengers embarking in Australia that pre-embarkation PCR testing must be done at a private laboratory.

 

[Mr H]

I posted the link on Monday from NSW Dept of Health

A copy of some of that

6 Testing Protocols
6.1 Passengers who are symptomatic at the time of boarding must have a negative rapid-PCR test before they are able to board the ship (as per 3.2).
6.2 Passengers must have a PCR test within 48 hours before boarding, or a self-administered RAT within 24 hours before boarding. Cruise lines will advise passengers embarking in Australia that pre-embarkation PCR testing must be done at a private laboratory.

That was guidance, not regulation.

The Federal page on cruise advice refers you to the relevant states, as is indeed appropriate.

The relevant state governments have requirements on both passengers and cruise companies. One of those requirements is that passengers must undergo a covid test before being allowed to board.

I have only seen guidance, not requirements.

 

[Pushka]

That was guidance, not regulation.

Post automatically merged: Jan 4, 2023

I have only seen guidance, not requirements.

Rubbish. If cruise lines do nor comply they will be refused to operate and will not be able to enter ports. On the authority of each state port which are run by each state Government.

 

[Mr H]

Rubbish. If cruise lines do nor comply they will be refused to operate and will not be able to enter ports. On the authority of each state port which are run by each state Government.

Happy if you can show me the regulation behind that.

 

[jase05]

I have only seen guidance, not requirements.

These are the requirements but I doubt they are being enforced fully

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/18_July_Eastern_Seaboard_Cruise_Protocols.pdf

 

[Tropic]

What do Chinese Australians make of the government's new COVID test measures?

As COVID-19 cases in China surge and countries, including Australia, impose new travel rules, Chinese Australians are weighing up whether to visit relatives and loved ones.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Mr H]

These are the requirements but I doubt they are being enforced fully

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/18_July_Eastern_Seaboard_Cruise_Protocols.pdf

Second paragraph - "the Protocols are guidance". They are not enforceable without the backing of some form of regulation. That is what nobody seems to be able to find.

 

[jase05]

Second paragraph - "the Protocols are guidance". They are not enforceable.

Yep, I doubt anyone is seriously obeying it.
Half our staff is coughing and spluttering at the moment with many testing positive and still working. I bet there is a lot more that aren’t even bothering to be tested too

 

[Tropic]

Yep, I doubt anyone is seriously obeying it.
Half our staff is coughing and spluttering at the moment with many testing positive and still working. I bet there is a lot more that aren’t even bothering to be tested too

Well, I guess what doesnt kill you must make you stronger...

 

[serfty]

The restrictions/requirements for travellers from China is racial ...

Do you have evidence to prove this statement.

Would that mean the Chinese requirement for Australians to have undergo COVID testing when travelling to China is racially motivated as well?

 

[tomlee1986]

Do you have evidence to prove this statement.

Would that mean the Chinese requirement for Australians to have undergo COVID testing when travelling to China is racially motivated as well?

China still does require negative PCR for australians to enter china at this time... i think this is just reciprocation

 

[jase05]

Well, I guess what doesnt kill you must make you stronger...

I’m in my office for long stints of the day and managed to avoid it at the time but leading into Christmas we had had something like 25% of staff off with Covid across our Adelaide facilities and higher in other states

 

[Pushka]

These are the requirements but I doubt they are being enforced fully

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/18_July_Eastern_Seaboard_Cruise_Protocols.pdf

I posted that jase05 a few days ago but apparently not proof enough. I believe they are being reinforced from the many cruise reports I've been following. Can't guarantee every cruise line is though.

Australian Ports are controlled by each state on such cruises so it's each state that defines the rules.