Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[OZDUCK]

There was a little 'throw away' line in Singapore's "Straits Times" that seems to indicate that money not need had previously been a major criteria for being vaccinated. To quote - "Following this, the CECC said on Saturday that it will be pausing vaccinations for people who have been paying for their own jabs, to ensure there are enough vaccines for prioritised, high-risk groups, such as front-line medical staff and family members living with them." Of course I may be misinterpreting this but it does seem a bit odd.

Taiwan tightens curbs after record 180 local Covid-19 cases

Cinemas and other entertainment spots will be shut, while family get-togethers will be limited to five people indoors and 10 outdoors. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[Lynda2475]

The fear mongering over a vaccine where the benefits far outweigh the negatives is astounding. I have had my first AZ shot (I’m under 50) and any concerns were so minimal that I didn’t give it a second thought. Even with what we know now I’d take the AZ again

And you are well within your right to knowingly accept that risk as you have.

But it is wrong to expect everyone else to adopt your personal level of risk taking. The benefit and risks are not the same for all others under 50.

It is reasonable for those not exposed to arrivals (via their work or household members) to wait and go with the recommended Pfizer/Moderna vaccine given lack of community cases as their risk of getting covid is incredibly small.

 

[Lynda2475]

Perhaps feds should be providing Australian made rapid test kits and aus medical team to administer them before repatriation flights if overseas labs cwnt be trusted.

Repatriation process questioned as passengers bumped from Indian flight test negative

The Indian laboratory that pre-screened passengers for Saturday's repatriation flight to Australia had its accreditation suspended by the nation's laboratory board last month. At least three of the 46 passengers who tested positive just days ago have since tested negative.

www.abc.net.au

 

[jakeseven7]

Irresponsible advice. Whilst rolling out vaccinations quickly is critical , Australians should not just "take anything", they should get the vaccine which is medically recommended for their circumstances.

Oh calm down boomer I think that goes without saying

 

[Flashback]

At least those of you who were in uproar about the stranded Aussies in India can feel at ease now.

Australians to return from India as more essential supplies are dispatched

Joint media release with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, on the resumption of flights facilitated by the Australian Government to return Australians from India.

www.health.gov.au

 

[Seat0B]

At least those of you who were in uproar about the stranded Aussies in India can feel at ease now.

Australians to return from India as more essential supplies are dispatched

Joint media release with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, on the resumption of flights facilitated by the Australian Government to return Australians from India.

www.health.gov.au

yeah, but only if they don;t have COVID at the time - if you are a sick Aussie in a country with an overwhelmed health system, then stuff you (says the Australian Government).

 

[MelMel]

Italy reopens to US tourists on covid-tested flights

Delta Air Lines is offering covid-tested flights to Italy to all customers from 16 May, allowing Americans to enter Italy as tourists after more than a year.

www.wantedinrome.com

The rest of the world is opening up

 

[burmans]

yes am noticing that as well & read a lot of travel news, not just general media.

I must say I thought this would start to happen as other countries start to open up.

 

[oznflfan]

I must say I thought this would start to happen as other countries start to open up.

Wait until you see the uproar when Bali is pumping early to middle 2022 and Australian's still not able to fly there.

 

[drron]

The problem is there are many countries actually tightening restrictions due to increasing covid cases.
A report from today reporting many European countries tightening restrictions.

Restrictions tighten across Europe as pandemic persists

Here’s a look at how some other countries around Europe are faring with the virus.

www.thejournal.ie

Add in Singapore,South Korea,Taiwan,Fiji etc closer to home.

It will be interesting to see how things go during the European summer.

 

[bcworld]

The problem is there are many countries actually tightening restrictions due to increasing covid cases.
A report from today reporting many European countries tightening restrictions.

Restrictions tighten across Europe as pandemic persists

Here’s a look at how some other countries around Europe are faring with the virus.

www.thejournal.ie

Add in Singapore,South Korea,Taiwan,Fiji etc closer to home.

It will be interesting to see how things go during the European summer.

This article is from MARCH 16th...not May.

 

[drron]

Sorry misread it.But even in the UK cases are now on the rise again.The Pandemic is nowhere near over.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sorry misread it.But even in the UK cases are now on the rise again.The Pandemic is nowhere near over.

True. But supposedly all we are/were aiming for is to stop the deaths. That's where we're heading.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Sorry misread it.But even in the UK cases are now on the rise again.The Pandemic is nowhere near over.

who cares about cases, only hospitalisations and deaths will be relevant in vaccinated societies, this is what the AU gov is not looking like they will understand

 

[drron]

But daily deaths world wide doesn't look that good.Much worse than last year.


Japan not looking too flash.


USA still several hundred deaths per day.


Places like france,Italy and Spain have daily deaths still in the hundreds.
And at this stage I don't think anyone really knows what may happen if the new Indian B 1617 becomes widespread.
As I said this pandemic is far from over.
And I am one who does want the border opened.But we have to be realistic.We should certainly have to start considering vaccinated people being able to travel to places such as Singapore and the UK where at the moment deaths have dramatically decreased.


Singapore has had only 31 deaths total and only 2 this year.

 

[Lynda2475]

Oh calm down boomer

Im perfectly calm and thankfully not a boomer

 

[MEL_Traveller]

who cares about cases, only hospitalisations and deaths will be relevant in vaccinated societies, this is what the AU gov is not looking like they will understand

There was a snippet on the news tonight with the PM saying there will still be people who remain unvaccinated, including those who choose not to be vaccinated, and medical experts are going to have to weigh up the risks of opening borders for those people. Reported here as well: Government sticks to its guns on border closures despite claims Australia could become 'hermit outpost'

So it may not be a case of 'bad luck if you choose not to be vaccinated'. But I just can't see that being any different from the flu?

Drron - I think we need to focus on the death rate in countries with an active and substantial vaccine roll out. Which is where Australia wants to be... or at least I thought it was until the PM's comments today.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I disagree to some extent.
The fear mongering over a vaccine where the benefits far outweigh the negatives is astounding. I have had my first AZ shot (I’m under 50) and any concerns were so minimal that I didn’t give it a second thought. Even with what we know now I’d take the AZ again

Yes there seems to be a lot of interesting logic about.

It is argued that we we need to open up and when we do there will be unvaccinated people both through choice and through some people not being able to be vaccinated. So that means accepting an annual death rate when we do, plus also most likely the deaths from influenza will resume being what they once were (though this fluctuates from year to year) after having been near zero for the last 12 months.

So these deaths are evidently judged as being acceptable in terms of overall community benefit, whereas the many fewer possible deaths from people taking AZ are not despite the large community benefit.

AZ may have a death rate of say 1 in a million more than Pfizer/Moderna, Though with the new monitoring of symptoms, early platelet testing if certain symptoms are reported and treatments for blood clots that death rate seems to be dropping. However with more widespread use, even if more deaths did occur, the total is not going to be large.

So instead many months delay has now been accepted. That delay causing all sorts of issues with mental and physical health and while that is hard to quantify it will result in deaths too.

 

[drron]

Although Americans will be allowedto travel most places have a few conditions.sometimes still quarantine,extra testing or obligatory covid insurance.many countries als have curfews.Most places the restrictions would put be off visiting.
Then there is the negative test you must have before boarding a plane to come home.A covid lottery which may see you stranded if you lose.

Where Can Americans Travel Now?

This constantly updated list details all the countries that Americans can visit right now, and the restrictions

www.smartertravel.com

 

[ayushamity]

PM saying there will still be people who remain unvaccinated, including those who choose not to be vaccinated, and medical experts are going to have to weigh up the risks of opening borders for those people.

I mean he has to stick to this line of thinking to win the election