Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Batterytraveller]

I am very cynical about this. I think this is a thought bubble to gauge reaction. It is how the federal government road tests possible policies these days

Reading the article again it’s a journo making the thinnest of thin gruel out of a second hand report of a question asked in the least private, private meeting on the planet.

But this is the clutching at straws thread…

 

[Amanad78]

Amazing. I'd volunteer for the trial if I knew how and if I was vaccinated and if the trial was starting in a couple of weeks not six weeks, but I hope this means I can travel later in the year to the U.K.

Me too, I wonder how to get on the trial

 

[Batterytraveller]

Me too, I wonder how to get on the trial

How much have you donated to the party lately?

 

[Pushka]

How much have you donated to the party lately?

well, I can try play footy, that seems to be a criteria in South Australia.

 

[SydneySwan]

well, I can try play footy, that seems to be a criteria in South Australia.

If footy is too difficult, then try tennis. Didn't SA host the elite tennis players prior to Aus Open?

 

[Pushka]

If footy is too difficult, then try tennis. Didn't SA host the elite tennis players prior to Aus Open?

Yes they did. But it’s winter right now and too wet for tennis. Didn’t like the tennis thing either.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Me too, I wonder how to get on the trial

previous comments of the PM have suggested 'business travellers'.

The rules would also serve for people visiting on business, as well as things like the tennis open players. Reducing their quarantine to just a couple of days would be advantageous rather than losing the open outright.

 

[Mattg]

Good news from the AU and NZ PM’s meeting - discussions of expanding the ANZ bubble to include Vanuatu and Fiji. Baby steps....

I've been in New Zealand for the past fortnight and keep seeing advertisements for travel to Rarotonga. It's almost cruel...

I mean, there is almost no risk to Australia if I was to travel to Rarotonga, return to New Zealand (and stay in NZ for more than 2 weeks), then return to Australia. Yet my understanding is that somehow this would be considered a crime in Australia if I don't have an Australian travel exemption?

 

[N860CR]

Personally I’d say their position was probably right for the times, but times have well and truly changed

At the time, yes. But part of the “under the doona” plan needed to be “when do we get out of bed”. It seems none of them did that (obviously, Australia front and centre). The problem is, you eventually have to go to the toilet. And currently, our plan seems to be “hold it in until we wet the bed”

 

[justinbrett]

I've been in New Zealand for the past fortnight and keep seeing advertisements for travel to Rarotonga. It's almost cruel...

I mean, there is almost no risk to Australia if I was to travel to Rarotonga, return to New Zealand (and stay in NZ for more than 2 weeks), then return to Australia. Yet my understanding is that somehow this would be considered a crime in Australia if I don't have an Australian travel exemption?

That would be a hard case to argue for the government. I note they have changed the wording on the website, and as long as you book after you leave Australia, I think it would work out. You'd just need another 14 days in NZ before coming back to Australia.

*Australian citizens and permanent residents will be required to apply for an outward travel exemption before travel to New Zealand if:

• you have booked an onward flight from New Zealand to another overseas destination

Those who travel onwards from New Zealand to another international destination must be aware that returning to Australia or New Zealand is likely to be difficult because of the current restrictions on passenger numbers and the limited availability of flights.

 

[drron]

And nowa poll that asked the question a little differently with different results - a majority support vaccinated people travelling between low incidence countries.

• 55 percent of respondents support travel between countries where people are fully vaccinated and COVID-19 is under control (20 percent oppose).
• 54 percent support entry of international students where they are fully vaccinated and subject to university-provided quarantine (24 percent oppose).
• 53 percent support entry and quarantine of creative workers where they are fully vaccinated and involved in major projects (22 percent oppose).

Australians support managed reopening of borders

Sydney Policy Lab research finds a majority of Australians do not believe the world will be COVID-free for at least five years, and support the reopening of borders before then.

www.sydney.edu.au

 

[mviy]

Dan Tehan appeared on Sunrise and the travel bubble idea with US and UK was discussed:

‘The right idea’: Federal government weighs in on US and UK travel bubble

Could Britain and the United States leapfrog other countries as Australia reopens?

7news.com.au

On the positives “Alan has definitely got the right idea”.

On the negatives “You have got to remember at the moment there are over 3,000 active cases in the UK and the US each day, so still a long way to go there for them in dealing with the virus and obviously, once they can get on top of that, we can start looking at these things,” he said.

It seems they may still want to wait till UK and/or US have achieved elimination or pretty close to it before considering a bubble.

Though I hope they consider some intermediate steps before that's achieved that allows some relaxation of travel restrictions.

Without government ministers talking, it's hard to distinguish how much of what Alan Joyce is just wishful thinking and how much is based on private discussions he's presumably having with government.

 

[justinbrett]

It seems they may still want to wait till UK and/or US have achieved elimination or pretty close to it before considering a bubble.

It seems the only countries going for elimination are Australia & New Zealand. The rest of the world is opening up again, not fixated by daily case numbers. I understand Las Vegas is pretty much fully open with no restrictions - and the rest of the country is going that way as well.

 

[Seat0B]

It seems they may still want to wait till UK and/or US have achieved elimination or pretty close to it before considering a bubble.

So, as per numerous posts above, that will be the 12th of Never, then

 

[mviy]

Waiting for elimination in US/UK is my interpretation of what I read in that article, which may not be correct. We'll have to wait and see what actually transpires. Hopefully the media can press them to reveal what thresholds they are looking for.

The UK has now had a day with no deaths from COVID-19 which is significant progress.

 

[burmans]

I think you guys are too fixated on the view that what politicians say will be what they do. Time has shown over and over again this is very rarely the case.

We aren’t there yet but when these countries do get into a position to open up, we will start getting pictures of people in the news and papers from these other countries holidaying. I think public attitudes would change much faster than a year away if/when this is the case.

 

[DC3]

... Without government ministers talking, it's hard to distinguish how much of what Alan Joyce is just wishful thinking and how much is based on private discussions he's presumably having with government.

And, AJ is trying to run a business, whereas the Federal Government seems to have no master plan on opening up to travel.

 

[Matt_01]

The PM has indicated that by 9 August, everyone (12 and over) should have had the opportunity to receive their first jab.

Am I correct to assume this is the SG PM, also which vaccine is approved for use 12 and over. I have attempted to stay abreast of child vaccine approval ages and in AU I think it is only for 16 and older. I am interested as when travel does open up in AU we will be keen to get MissM vaccinated.

 

[dajop]

We will start getting pictures of people in the news and papers from these other countries holidaying. I think public attitudes would change much faster than a year away if/when this is the case.

Talking about being fixated, I'm sick to death of this fixation on "image of people holidaying" . Someone brings it up every 20 or so posts.

Australians (except for Victorians) are already holidaying as someone sitting overseas I've seen plenty of "pictures ... of people holidaying" (within Australia). Except for long suffering Victorians - there has been the opportunity to holiday for the last 12 months, and many people I know have taken holidays. It's not like being stuck in a European country, many of which are the size of Victoria, or smaller. I've know a couple who normally would take at least 2 overseas trips a year, who've been on holidays in every state and territory in Australia in the last 12 months. Beaches, mountains, cafes, rainforests etc. You name it. I don't think most people in Australia would care much for them bleating that they haven't been able to go overseas for a holiday (poor diddums, I wouldn't). Spoilt and indulgent comes to mind. (btw they don't bleat and moan, so not saying they are spoilt and indulgent)

However, I do think it is quite sad, in fact heartless, that they can't travel to Europe to see one of their families. One of them hasn't seen his mother in person now for nearly 2 years. I hope they will be able to go soon, as she is not getting any younger. IMHO, this is the true sadness. Not holidaying.

 

[mviy]

ATAGI is presumably following approvals happening overseas and the TGA will consider approvals for younger kids when/if it’s deemed necessary. We are still a long, long way away from being able to vaccinate younger teenagers.

I would hope travel opens up again before kids are vaccinated.