Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[dajop]

I am actually a bit let down - Todays presser gave the impression of just thinking to satisfy the public with any actual decisions maybe being made in a few months. Just talk and no action

Yeh, wasn't anyone working on this before now? The quarantine requirements have been in place now for over 6 months.

 

[Sydney BE]

If you look at booking.com for this Saturday night, on Sentosa (Singapore's touristy-island), 13 of the 17 hotels have no rooms available, and the remaining four are priced at $700, $1200, $2100 and $4000 respectively (+ 7% GST and 10% service charge) For one night. Although next weekend there is a hotel available for $370++, there rest are booked out or also highly priced!

Kind of like our regional areas they are seeing a massive increase in tourists because no one can go further afield.

 

[33kft]

Kind of like our regional areas they are seeing a massive increase in tourists because no one can go further afield.

Yes and that's great and all folks but how do you think it is going to work when a 4 day holiday on either side of the fence could result in 14 day quarantine if you test positive at the far side port? There is a significant difference in risk between booking a staycation and flying overseas right now for citizens of both countries.

 

[Sydney BE]

Yes and that's great and all folks but how do you think it is going to work when a 4 day holiday on either side of the fence could result in 14 day quarantine if you test positive at the far side port? There is a significant difference in risk between booking a staycation and flying overseas right now for citizens of both countries.

I wasn't suggesting booking a trip to singapore right now for a short stay even if you were a citizen of both countries.

I think you may have misunderstood what i was saying. It was in response to a previous post that mentioned expensive prices in sentosa because they have a captive market because there are limited options for people of singapore to travel. Its a similar story here where regional areas are being booked out because australians can't travel very far either. i know i've been on more intrastate trips this year due to international and the majority of domestic travel not being an option

 

[ayushamity]

Is anyone else also now in a more stressful position lol

LIke back in July, there was no talk of travel. So did not even cross my mind - my missus and I just video chat everyday and make the best of it

But now , its like glued to the internet for any news on travel - With your mood going up and down depending on what you read.

 

[Flashback]

Is anyone else also now in a more stressful position lol

LIke back in July, there was no talk of travel. So did not even cross my mind - my missus and I just video chat everyday and make the best of it

But now , its like glued to the internet for any news on travel - With your mood going up and down depending on what you read.

Yes, especially for me being based in the UK as I've been able to travel throughout Europe after a severe lockdown and now we're going back into lockdown measures. Going to be a tough winter.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yeh, wasn't anyone working on this before now? The quarantine requirements have been in place now for over 6 months.

Are you kidding, have you seen the calibre of most of our state premiers who hold a lot of the cards in this game? Nothing international is going to happen at any kind of speed, Scomo admitted it in his press conference. He’s just trying to get the domestic borders open by Xmas and to have them all open will be a small Xmas miracle....

 

[dajop]

Are you kidding, have you seen the calibre of most of our state premiers who hold a lot of the cards in this game? Nothing international is going to happen at any kind of speed, Scomo admitted it in his press conference. He’s just trying to get the domestic borders open by Xmas and to have them all open will be a small Xmas miracle....

Don’t need the Premier’s support to have examined and worked on different options by now. Doesn’t mean they need to have implemented them or be ready to put in place, but you’d think that someone in the federal bureaucracy could have put their mind to it already. Maybe they have. Biosecurity is (used to be ?) a federal responsibility.

 

[jgreenspoon]

I think any federal announcements around the borders are being very carefully managed at the moment and only minimally indicative of actual intent.

As much as I feel the opposite, the public sentiment is towards keeping international borders closed. Scomo is a marketing man - any intent to open will be drip fed via slow carefully worded releases emphasising caution when the reality may well be they 100% intend to reopen to international students for example.

 

[Flashback]

Costco is doing their bit to help.

https://www.costco.com/covid-test.html

$129.99

Features:

• PCR tests are the gold standard testing method with the most accurate sensitivity and specificity currently on the market
• Emergency Use Act-Authorized at-home self-administered PCR saliva test
• Test for COVID-19 infection at home without a painful nasal swab
• Get your shareable results in 24-72 hours from the time the lab receives your kit (contiguous U.S. only) online through the HIPAA-secure AZOVA app
• Note: You must register for a lab order with AZOVA after checkout for each person who is taking the test. You will receive a coupon code to redeem on AZOVA.com/costcotest to receive your at-home test kit

 

[Pushka]

Costco is doing their bit to help.

https://www.costco.com/covid-test.html

$129.99

Features:

• PCR tests are the gold standard testing method with the most accurate sensitivity and specificity currently on the market
• Emergency Use Act-Authorized at-home self-administered PCR saliva test
• Test for COVID-19 infection at home without a painful nasal swab
• Get your shareable results in 24-72 hours from the time the lab receives your kit (contiguous U.S. only) online through the HIPAA-secure AZOVA app
• Note: You must register for a lab order with AZOVA after checkout for each person who is taking the test. You will receive a coupon code to redeem on AZOVA.com/costcotest to receive your at-home test kit

I know that the son and partner in the UK have some tests on hand at home.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As much as I feel the opposite, the public sentiment is towards keeping international borders closed.

i was surprised by this so googled and indeed there is a poll showing 60% of aussies want the international borders to stay closed.

However... I guess it depends on the question in the poll... if I asked 'do you support separating families from loved ones over Christmas' or 'do you agree vulnerable Australians should be prevented from coming home' the answer might have been different.

 

[jakeseven7]

I think any federal announcements around the borders are being very carefully managed at the moment and only minimally indicative of actual intent.

As much as I feel the opposite, the public sentiment is towards keeping international borders closed. Scomo is a marketing man - any intent to open will be drip fed via slow carefully worded releases emphasising caution when the reality may well be they 100% intend to reopen to international students for example.

Agreed which is why he is prioritising domestic borders because there is overwhelming support for all of those to be open. He also knows that once domestic borders are open there will be a significant domestic tourism boost which will be a huge kick start to the economy.

Once that is done, expansion of the NZ bubble will be the next off the bat and then consideration of other international ‘safe‘ countries.

Everything will happen in this order unfortunately and for those trapped overseas or wanting to travel it’s going to be frustrating and tough

They will keep the Qantas reparation charters going because it looks great, but in reality we know at that rate they are flying them in will take now 3 years to clear the the ‘priority’ list of Aussies wanting to come home.

 

[jakeseven7]

I know that the son and partner in the UK have some tests on hand at home.

UK has had massive massive issues with testing shortages, our family over there couldn’t get tested in their first wave at all and in the second wave there have been many reports of people struggling to get tested again

 

[Pushka]

UK has had massive massive issues with testing shortages, our family over there couldn’t get tested in their first wave at all and in the second wave there have been many reports of people struggling to get tested again

Yes, I've heard that. Which is likely why they bought their own. I guess it is pushing people off the free test so is encouraged.

 

[Flashback]

UK has had massive massive issues with testing shortages, our family over there couldn’t get tested in their first wave at all and in the second wave there have been many reports of people struggling to get tested again

The one time I enquired the only option it gave me was a 350 mile drive. Not really very practical.

 

[CityRail]

I think any federal announcements around the borders are being very carefully managed at the moment and only minimally indicative of actual intent.

As much as I feel the opposite, the public sentiment is towards keeping international borders closed. Scomo is a marketing man - any intent to open will be drip fed via slow carefully worded releases emphasising caution when the reality may well be they 100% intend to reopen to international students for example.

I think as Australia managed the Coronavirus very well, we cannot afford another outbreak that is caused either inside or outside of the country.

I would support for closure of international borders, and even if we are establishing travel bubbles, they should come into Australia in a safe way, including:

- Quota based, Australian first system for bubble countries
- No mixing between bubble passengers and others, i.e. flights from Singapore to Australia under the bubble should be Singaporeans only
- Testing on arrival and pre-departure to ensure no asymptomic passengers on board and into the country.

I think other than Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand should be in consideration of opening by Christmas too.

 

[CityRail]

Yes, especially for me being based in the UK as I've been able to travel throughout Europe after a severe lockdown and now we're going back into lockdown measures. Going to be a tough winter.

Perhaps you should avoid lockdown by imposing a self 14 day Quarantine in Howard Springs and come back to Australia.

The UK is quite dangerous at this time, take care and leave if you can.

 

[oznflfan]

I think as Australia managed the Coronavirus very well, we cannot afford another outbreak that is caused either inside or outside of the country.

I would support for closure of international borders, and even if we are establishing travel bubbles, they should come into Australia in a safe way, including:

- Quota based, Australian first system for bubble countries
- No mixing between bubble passengers and others, i.e. flights from Singapore to Australia under the bubble should be Singaporeans only
- Testing on arrival and pre-departure to ensure no asymptomic passengers on board and into the country.

I think other than Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand should be in consideration of opening by Christmas too.

Bring on flights these as soon as we can , 2021's OK, could do with a quick oversea's jaunt. Taiwan would be my preferred trip based on choice and likelyhood of opening.

 

[Flashback]

Perhaps you should avoid lockdown by imposing a self 14 day Quarantine in Howard Springs and come back to Australia.

The UK is quite dangerous at this time, take care and leave if you can.

Unfortunately cost becomes an issue (for quarantine) as does working hours, our clocks go back tomorrow and that 1 hour change makes all the difference for Mrs FB; not so much for me as I only work 2 days a week at the moment.