Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[prozac]

Stay optimistic re the vaccine rollout; it was a complete shambolic mess here in the US at the start of the year and workplaces were talking about remote work persisting through 2021. By early March I didn't know of anyone in my circles that had not been vaccinated, it continues to get easier to access the vaccine and vaccination sites, with the result that my workplace is expecting a full return to the office by end April and I hear many other workplaces are talking June for a return. Things have started to move very quickly (yes, too quickly in some states) and I know of many people planning overseas travel; at least where I live (NC), the mood of optimism is growing with the increased vaccine rollout as people's personal risk is mitigated if not eliminated.

As an Aussie currently living in the US I have a vested interest in any news that could make it easier to get home to family (I am desperately clinging to any hope) so I was pleased to see Tudge mentioning some indicators of international travel. Putting aside the moral and ethical standpoints, the management of the pandemic has always been the balance between economics and public safety and it is hard to comprehend that the balance doesn't swing towards economics once the vaccination program picks up speed.

"Education Minister expects international students to return early 2022​

Education Minister Alan Tudge’s projected timeline on the return of international students is a hint on when Australia’s borders may reopen.
In a speech delivered to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) – the university most reliant on overseas students – Mr Tudge said Australia’s lucrative market for international students could be given a much-needed boost by February 2022.

“With the vaccine rollout under way, I am increasingly hopeful that student arrivals in larger numbers will occur by Semester 1 of next year,” Mr Tudge said.

Mr Tudge said he hoped the federal government would have a clearer idea later this year on when international borders will reopen.

“We are expecting more clarity on these issues by mid-year, at which time we should be more certain on border openings,” he said."

Return of International students is a completely separate can of worms to the greater unwashed public traveling. Don't go getting your hopes up on when you see the uni's open to int'l students.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Return of International students is a completely separate can of worms to the greater unwashed public traveling. Don't go getting your hopes up on when you see the uni's open to int'l students.

That's a good question. The ban on Aussies leaving and coming back is made under the Biosecurity Act. There are strict criteria that need to be met before the government can impose those restrictions.

Allowing international students to arrive in large numbers could indicate the criteria for any bans no longer exists.

 

[hb13]

Considering the past president had covid 19 in the last few months of his term, no I don't think he denied it's existence.

Okay, but he handled it horribly, as he has no competence. I think it is pretty clear to the world that he hasn't got a clue, but this article proves that: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/28/...-fauci-birx-hahn-redfield-gupta-bn/index.html

The previous administration is the only reason we have vaccines.

This is categorically and 100% false. The first vaccine to be approved and used worldwide was the Pfizer vaccine, which was made in conjunction with Bio n Tech in Germany. They didn't accept a penny from the government and didn't rely on the government in any way, shape or form.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Interesting:

"We want to get this vaccine out, it will mean less restrictions, it will mean you can travel overseas"

 

[hb13]

Interesting:

"We want to get this vaccine out, it will mean less restrictions, it will mean you can travel overseas"

Thanks for sharing @Pom-DownUnder - living in the UK I don't get to see this. As a Melbournian, NSW, under Gladys Berejiklian's leadership has put every other state and premier to shame. When you look at the balance of cases/deaths/economy, I wish she was leading the country.

 

[hb13]

Agree. The government has revised their target to the first dose only by end October. So that leaves a fair chunk to be completed in Nov/Dec/Jan.

However, I think they will still be promising to get aussies home by Christmas, with an argument that those under 50 are at lower risk and will have some protection from their first dose.

If I can get back home by Xmas this year without having to quarantine for 2 weeks, I'll take it. I'd even accept a week-long quarantine at this stage if I can see family. If I'm vaccinated, and all the vulnerable and front-line workers are vaccinated - why would I need to quarantine?

This has gone on for too long and the Federal government should really be ashamed of themselves. Come December, it'll be basically two years where families can't see each other if they can't pay an arm and a leg to get to Australia. And I'm speaking for thousands of us here in the UK/Europe and I'm sure there are thousands of others around the world.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

If I can get back home by Xmas this year without having to quarantine for 2 weeks, I'll take it. I'd even accept a week-long quarantine at this stage if I can see family. If I'm vaccinated, and all the vulnerable and front-line workers are vaccinated - why would I need to quarantine?

This has gone on for too long and the Federal government should really be ashamed of themselves. Come December, it'll be basically two years where families can't see each other if they can't pay an arm and a leg to get to Australia. And I'm speaking for thousands of us here in the UK/Europe and I'm sure there are thousands of others around the world.

i've cancelled my june trip and rebooked for xmas in the uk, hopefully we fly past one another

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If I can get back home by Xmas this year without having to quarantine for 2 weeks, I'll take it. I'd even accept a week-long quarantine at this stage if I can see family. If I'm vaccinated, and all the vulnerable and front-line workers are vaccinated - why would I need to quarantine?

This has gone on for too long and the Federal government should really be ashamed of themselves. Come December, it'll be basically two years where families can't see each other if they can't pay an arm and a leg to get to Australia. And I'm speaking for thousands of us here in the UK/Europe and I'm sure there are thousands of others around the world.

Well... it may be home quarantine. We'll have to wait and see about the effect of variants and the current vaccine.

 

[Kimpos]

If I can get back home by Xmas this year without having to quarantine for 2 weeks, I'll take it. I'd even accept a week-long quarantine at this stage if I can see family. If I'm vaccinated, and all the vulnerable and front-line workers are vaccinated - why would I need to quarantine?

This has gone on for too long and the Federal government should really be ashamed of themselves. Come December, it'll be basically two years where families can't see each other if they can't pay an arm and a leg to get to Australia. And I'm speaking for thousands of us here in the UK/Europe and I'm sure there are thousands of others around the world.

Yes, I'm hoping to be at the family table at xmas and the Boxing Day test, if we are vaccinated and those most at risk of serious covid illness at home are vaccinated it is difficult not to give up the hope of quarantine free travel

 

[jase05]

WA and SA is off to an election in March

WA only had theirs a few weeks back

 

[Pushka]

WA only had theirs a few weeks back

Yes I know. I just meant "WA" in the sense that it will always close its borders when someone sneezes, and SA has an election. I should have written "we all know WA, and SA is off to an election next March. And have just amended that now.

 

[Princess Fiona]

One of the more interesting ideas of data collection and viral surveillance was to get volunteers to donate small amounts of blood on a monthly basis worldwide and then look for antibodies. Pretty interesting concept and you can see how it would be beneficial once (hopefully) the vaccines have most of the COVID threat behind us.

I note the CDC in the USA has said vaccinated people can travel free and wide within the US, adhering to the same prevention methods as others such as regular hand washing, sanitising and mask wearing. A small sign that we are moving forward, from a travel perspective.

No, sadly not quite. They are recommending that you do not travel unless it’s essential even if vaccinated.
Forbes CDC

 

[Must...Fly!]

No, sadly not quite. They are recommending that you do not travel unless it’s essential even if vaccinated.
Forbes CDC

Ah. The headline got me excited... thanks for clarifying. I guess it's still a (smaller) positive step.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

this really is absolutely shocking:

ONE CASE

 

[Pushka]

this really is absolutely shocking:

ONE CASE

More than one. I think maybe five or more. And someone developed Covid just by eating a meal at the same restaurant as the Hens party. Gladys has handled the pandemic better than most so it suggests she was very worried. And given that and that people could develop Covid and take it back to all the Aus states, only in hindsight did it seem alarmist. At the time with so many unknowns, it was a good idea.

 

[jakeseven7]

this really is absolutely shocking:

ONE CASE

Not really shocking.

They were stuffed either way.

Cancel and have all the old boomers attending this event whinge, let it go ahead and quite possibly have it explode into a Ruby Princess 2 and be crucified for it.

 

[Pushka]

Moving to the UK

AMP and Axa offer £8.2bn in a second bid for Axa’s Asian unit - City AM

AUSTRALIAN wealth manager AMP launched a fresh £8.15bn bid for Axa Asia Pacific Holdings yesterday in a joint deal with French parent Axa, a year after its original approach. The move comes after rival bidder National Australia Bank pulled out of a deal to buy Axa’a Asian unit after the...

www.cityam.com

 

[oznflfan]

Moving to the UK

AMP and Axa offer £8.2bn in a second bid for Axa’s Asian unit - City AM

AUSTRALIAN wealth manager AMP launched a fresh £8.15bn bid for Axa Asia Pacific Holdings yesterday in a joint deal with French parent Axa, a year after its original approach. The move comes after rival bidder National Australia Bank pulled out of a deal to buy Axa’a Asian unit after the...

www.cityam.com

Exactly what the Prime Minister has been eluding to in last month. Just have to get State Premiers to mirror this. As yet only the NSW Premier has joined the Feds in stating this.

Once we have vaccinations complete, lets say by early 2022, there will be zero reason why there could be any restriction on opening international borders.

Happy Easter everybody. Easter 2022 I would have just come back from Kuala Lumpur or Phnom Penh, still deciding which I favour. Will book QFF flights when open and reasonable.

 

[Hvr]

Exactly what the Prime Minister has been eluding to in last month

Actually it's been eluding him. Maybe you meant "alluding to"?

 

[oznflfan]

Actually it's been eluding him. Maybe you meant "alluding to"?

Correction yes. Alluding to.

In other context international travel is elluding me, and at least in my opinion is p*ssing me off more than most. Domestic travel does absolutely nothing for me, not the escapism that world wandering can bring.