Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[harvyk]

His travel is an exception not a blanket change in restrictions.

Meeting the UK PM and US President and finalising the FTA with the UK are significant reasons for an exemption.

Not going to disagree that there was a purpose behind this trip. But given the PM supposedly comes from a marketing background, you'd have thought he'd have spent 30 seconds thinking that taking a photo which would remind people of overseas travel is perhaps not the most prudent thing to be doing.

Certainly outside the AFF bubble, there is a perception that closed borders are a good thing, however photos which look like holiday snaps are likely to remind people about what a joy overseas travel was. This could actually backfire quite considerably in the polls, and just quietly, I'm of the opinion that it's poll data and not health data that'll determine when borders are opened again.

 

[Cddc]

A plan need to open the borders needs to be committed to and articulated to the Australian public now, so we mere mortals can plan our lives.

 

[Kimpos]

I'm not convinced. I think that for a lot of the population someone heading overseas when they "shouldn't" doesn't mean that others should be able to do the same. They would argue that the trip shouldn't have happened.

Whereas my view is that this trip should have happened and there should be a clear roadmap for family reunion trips with home quarantine on return to be allowed to the UK by the end of the 2021 calendar year unless there's a huge spike in deaths in hospitalisations and deaths in the U.K.

And the US too please

 

[MooTime]

I don't think anybody here is arguing that some are more equal than others, myself included.

The PM has a job to do and he entitled to do it however the PM in on the record talking up the mess in the UK and using that as an excuse why our borders would remain closed right before taking a trip there and having photo opportunities unmasked, etc.

This is an unprecedented event that has personally impacted most in a very personal way.

I don't think it is too much to expect leaders to 'lead' and provide a roadmap out of this mess. If this roadmap had already been provided, I'm sure many would have a more postive view of the PMs OS trip and associated photo opportunities.

Why do we need a road map? Was one ever promised? What's with this roadmap desperation?
The PM stated vac roadmap early on& missed the target by a long way and got hammered for it, why should there be another one? Nothing to gain.

Photo shoot at pub, yeah one way to look at it... He's there on business, have a beer, who cares, what's it matter if was at a public pub or at Boris man cave? Really get a grip.

 

[Cddc]

Let me out already!

*edit - in the spirit of this thread I am going to predict an election first Saturday of March with essential OS business travel beginning early Feb. Leisure travel coming back June 2022.

In attempt to make this thread less political and animal farm, maybe we should begin predicting an election date and open borders?

Post automatically merged: Jun 15, 2021

Why do we need a road map? Was one ever promised? What's with this roadmap desperation?
The PM stated vac roadmap early on& missed the target by a long way and got hammered for it, why should there be another one? Nothing to gain.

Photo shoot at pub, yeah one way to look at it... He's there on business, have a beer, who cares, what's it matter if was at a public pub or at Boris man cave? Really get a grip.

We deserve a raod map to hold our elective representatives to account for the very reasons you mentioned. If it is does not go to plan and is articulated to the public, I'm sure they would understand if the reasons out forward are valid. Members of parliament are there to represent us. This impacts every single person and we are entitled to some leadership and a way forward.

'Get a grip' -- really? so eloquently put. We are better than this.

 

[Seat0B]

Unfortunately Labour can't state do anything against the current message, otherwise COVID will be the negative gearing to Shorten and the PM will kill him at election. Status quo unfortunately. Just look forward to 'keeping Australia safe' being mentioned by both parties for months leading to election.

Where is the vomit emoji when you need it? found it, just not on the reactions list!

 

[Pushka]

I dont have any issues with the PM going to UK and other countries. Maybe it might show him it is safe to do so with vaccination.

Disneyland and LA now fully open to people vaccinated. No masks. No social distancing. Australia is being left behind.

 

[mviy]

The PM has told Sky News in an interview that a cautious approach is being taken that they will be waiting to see what hospitalisation rates are like in Europe as they open up over their summer. If there's a sustained low rate of hospital admissions and serious illness and no new variants of concern throw a spanner in the mix there's a "potentially different pathway". So non-committal, but I guess perhaps hinting that some relaxation of travel restrictions to countries with high vaccination rates for vaccinated travellers sooner than mid next year is a possibility.

An interview is airing at 9am tomorrow.

 

[N860CR]

The PM has told Sky News in an interview that a cautious approach is being taken that they will be waiting to see what hospitalisation rates are like in Europe as they open up over their summer. If there's a sustained low rate of hospital admissions and serious illness and no new variants of concern throw a spanner in the mix there's a "potentially different pathway". So non-committal, but I guess perhaps hinting that some relaxation of travel restrictions to countries with high vaccination rates for vaccinated travellers sooner than mid next year is a possibility.

Realistically, if Europe and the US have a “normal” summer without herds of people dropping dead, then Morrison may find his hand forced anyway. He’s actually managed to fall into a very enviable position. His population is scared so no reason to rush reopening, and the northern hemisphere is conducting a full dry run that we can replicate over summer (should it prove to be successful).

 

[Spacetravel]

So I have some interesting news. In 2020 I was planning on going on overseas exchange with uni, this obviously didn't go ahead due to covid. Anyway I received an email this week letting me know the University has had confirmation from DFAT (yes DFAT, must be because they have a hand in the funding for exchange programs) that they are able to run exchange program in 2022 and students will be allowed international travel regardless of the state of border restrictions. It doesn't look like it will be a free for all though, the countries are still to be confirmed but it looks like just Asia-pac countries (as far as Singapore). Unfortunately for me I missed the window of opportunity due to life circumstances to go on exchange so I won't be taking up the offer, however it shows that maybe behind the scenes they are preparing to let certain groups travel overseas. Holiday makers will likely be the very last to be able to go but any sign of some relaxation is good news.

 

[roogirl]

Realistically, if Europe and the US have a “normal” summer without herds of people dropping dead, then Morrison may find his hand forced anyway. He’s actually managed to fall into a very enviable position. His population is scared so no reason to rush reopening, and the northern hemisphere is conducting a full dry run that we can replicate over summer (should it prove to be successful).

Nah, I don’t see this changing until
post election, and certainly not over Aussie summer (and Aussie open tennis!). Imagine having to lockdown again in January/February because of opening up international travel - just won’t happen. European travel is going to be disrupted etc this year, it won’t be a compelling enough picture to move the needle esp with the U.K. currently frittering away its first mover “vaccine dividend” (which seems to be the favoured phrase of U.K. government right now).

My money is on q4 2022 for Aus travel opening up without hotel quarantine to Joe Public.

 

[mviy]

The PM has told Sky News in an interview that a cautious approach is being taken that they will be waiting to see what hospitalisation rates are like in Europe as they open up over their summer. If there's a sustained low rate of hospital admissions and serious illness and no new variants of concern throw a spanner in the mix there's a "potentially different pathway". So non-committal, but I guess perhaps hinting that some relaxation of travel restrictions to countries with high vaccination rates for vaccinated travellers sooner than mid next year is a possibility.

An interview is airing at 9am tomorrow.

The interview is now on YouTube:

And there is a transcript here: Interview with Andrew Clennell, Sky News | Prime Minister of Australia

Please note that that video also covers other issues. Only the parts relevant to international travel restrictions is on topic. It's at the start of the video and especially about 3 minutes through to about 5 minutes into the video then from about 6 minutes in it goes off topic and at the end of the video from about 13 minutes the election timing, vaccinations etc. are talked about.

Interestingly about 5 minutes 30 in it's been mentioned that Scott Morrison, his team and the media have been taking daily rapid antigen tests. The interviewer seemed to suggest these tests could eventually play in a role in reopening the borders.

 

[jakeseven7]

The interview is now on YouTube:

I wonder if the state premiers know about this

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

trying to watch the scott morrison vid and get this on the screen, i dont mind an ad but sweet lord how offensive

 

[Pushka]

Federal Govt has just approved International Students to return to South Australia and quarantined in their own hub.

 

[Kimpos]

The interview is now on YouTube:

And there is a transcript here: Interview with Andrew Clennell, Sky News | Prime Minister of Australia

Please note that that video also covers other issues. Only the parts relevant to international travel restrictions is on topic. It's at the start of the video and especially about 3 minutes through to about 5 minutes into the video then from about 6 minutes in it goes off topic and at the end of the video from about 13 minutes the election timing, vaccinations etc. are talked about.

Interestingly about 5 minutes 30 in it's been mentioned that Scott Morrison, his team and the media have been taking daily rapid antigen tests. The interviewer seemed to suggest these tests could eventually play in a role in reopening the borders.

Thank you for posting this, sadly I don't see anything there about a willingness to announce (or even prepare) a plan to open up- my view is based on the mentions of border rings and quarantine. I've tried to stay optimistic and hopeful of an easier way to travel but I really don't see Australia joining the world in any meaningful way for years

 

[kpc]

Surveys like this are not going to convince the government to open our international borders in a hurry.

One-third of voters back cuts in overseas arrivals to ease quarantine pressure

Only 7 per cent of voters back the idea of expanding the existing hotel quarantine system to allow more people to enter the country.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Pushka]

Surveys like this are not going to convince the government to open our international borders in a hurry.

One-third of voters back cuts in overseas arrivals to ease quarantine pressure

Only 7 per cent of voters back the idea of expanding the existing hotel quarantine system to allow more people to enter the country.

www.smh.com.au

And 66% dont. The demographics (ie voting power) of both groups is more important than a number.

 

[SydneySwan]

Surveys like this are not going to convince the government to open our international borders in a hurry.

One-third of voters back cuts in overseas arrivals to ease quarantine pressure

Only 7 per cent of voters back the idea of expanding the existing hotel quarantine system to allow more people to enter the country.

www.smh.com.au

When I see surveys like this I start to think the 'never' option is firming up as favourite. I have a neighbour who was born in Dunedin and moved to Australia when she was 13. She is around 80 now, has not been back to Dunedin ('too bloody cold') or anywhere else outside Australia since. She loves the closed borders because she says it is great to be able to walk around Sydney without hordes of foreign tourists and hopes they stay closed forever.

 

[Pushka]

When I see surveys like this I start to think the 'never' option is firming up as favourite. I have a neighbour who was born in Dunedin and moved to Australia when she was 13. She is around 80 now, has not been back to Dunedin ('too bloody cold') or anywhere else outside Australia since. She loves the closed borders because she says it is great to be able to walk around Sydney without hordes of foreign tourists and hopes they stay closed forever.

I just wonder in similar cases how many people are dependent on finances from the Government and do they understand the billions of dollars pumped into the Australian economy from tourism and university students from overseas. That the vegetables and fruit they eat are dependent on overseas backpackers working the crops. That the hotels they may stay in, even local, likely need backpackers for various duties. We are in a vacuum right now and something has to give.