Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[drron]

Well Greece has opened up and if vaccinated you do not need to have a test.I am sorry but this link might depress some people and make others angry.

On the ground: What it’s like visiting Greece right now

This bit was interesting re testing at ATH when leaving.

Athens airport (ATH) was very busy when I left — both Priority Pass lounges in Terminal A were completely full and not allowing any additional passengers. If the country you are flying to requires a negative test for entry, as the United Kingdom and the United States do, Athens airport has on-site lateral flow testing with results within 30 minutes.

The passengers checking in next to me on my British Airways flight to London (LHR) did not have the correct test to board their flight but were able to take a test on-site without prebooking and had no issues making it onto the flight.

 

[dajop]

Ari Gold you need to check yourself, permanent residents have as much right to be in, and come to, Australia.

I took the comment "Time to stop all Non Citizen/PR arrivals into Aus, including students." As stopping those who aren't citizens or PRs. Not stopping non citizens and stopping PRs.

 

[pagingjoan]

I took the comment "Time to stop all Non Citizen/PR arrivals into Aus, including students." As stopping those who aren't citizens or PRs. Not stopping non citizens and stopping PRs.

That was my interpretation also.

 

[Batterytraveller]

I guess that could be the reading, my apologies for being touchy if it should be read that way.

 

[JB expat]

Me being more realistic.

A lot of the western world is either open now or opening based on current 30-50% fully vaccinated. Let's call some parts of the world needing very high 60% to fully fully fully open.

First stage - no change to now.

Second stage - moot point as it will be 70-80% and unachievable. And even then no international travel.

Third and fourth point the same - third vaccinated international travellers, fourth unvaccinated open international travel. This fourth stage may be over 5 years away. Vaccination will be required for international travel the next 5+ years all over the world.

My prediction, this roadmap will be binned early-mid next year as another failed announcement.

Agree. Roadmap needs to be based on availability- change the percentages to relate to the number of people who have had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated and you are closer to something that might work. And more sticks for not vaccinating. Not enough sticks (and carrots - border closures are not a hot topic for millions (as in, viewed negatively).

 

[JB expat]

Another question- not that anyone knows the answer but we are all speculating. Let’s say - I’m fully vaccinated and my employer (USA based with offices around the world) wants me at a meeting(s) in Singapore and/or London and/or USA and is willing to provide paperwork documenting that they want me there. Will there be an approval process for this? Will there be flights? Will I be counted towards the incoming cap? Will fellow incoming passengers be vaccinated (required to be)? Will I be able to Q at home? I’m actually getting more down with the “plan” than I was yesterday when there was no plan.

 

[Pushka]

Another question- not that anyone knows the answer but we are all speculating. Let’s say - I’m fully vaccinated and my employer (USA based with offices around the world) wants me at a meeting(s) in Singapore and/or London and/or USA and is willing to provide paperwork documenting that they want me there. Will there be an approval process for this? Will there be flights? Will I be counted towards the incoming cap? Will fellow incoming passengers be vaccinated (required to be)? Will I be able to Q at home? I’m actually getting more down with the “plan” than I was yesterday when there was no plan.

On those grounds you can apply for an exemption (Australian Border Force online exemptions portal) and likely will get approval to exit. Needs paperwork from employer etc etc. However your issue now will be getting a flight back and at a time that is acceptable. ie that you won't get stuck OS. At this stage it will be quarantine in a Hotel at your cost and yes as part of the cap.

 

[JB expat]

On those grounds you can apply for an exemption (Australian Border Force online exemptions portal) and likely will get approval to exit. Needs paperwork from employer etc etc. However your issue now will be getting a flight back and at a time that is acceptable. ie that you won't get stuck OS. At this stage it will be quarantine in a Hotel at your cost and yes as part of the cap.

Yes. I know this is the situation right now. I’m just speculating about something less restrictive- I cannot leave my family for a trip plus hotel quarantine- it isn’t doable for us. And my hypothetical assumes my employer is paying. Might not be a true assumption

 

[dajop]

I hope this gets cancelled immediately...

FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025

Expect Nothing Less

www.grandprix.com.au

 

[Pushka]

Yes. I know this is the situation right now. I’m just speculating about something less restrictive- I cannot leave my family for a trip plus hotel quarantine- it isn’t doable for us. And my hypothetical assumes my employer is paying. Might not be a true assumption

Well, I don't think there is any plan other than kicking the can further down the road.

 

[jakeseven7]

I hope this gets cancelled immediately...

FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025

Expect Nothing Less

www.grandprix.com.au

The QLD Premier can open it on their way to/fro Japan

 

[Pushka]

The QLD Premier can open it on their way to/fro Japan

The numbers returning from the Olympics, although staggered, wipes out a week of otherwise returning Aussies. August will be a tough month.

 

[RAM]

Another question- not that anyone knows the answer but we are all speculating. Let’s say - I’m fully vaccinated and my employer (USA based with offices around the world) wants me at a meeting(s) in Singapore and/or London and/or USA and is willing to provide paperwork documenting that they want me there. Will there be an approval process for this? Will there be flights? Will I be counted towards the incoming cap? Will fellow incoming passengers be vaccinated (required to be)? Will I be able to Q at home? I’m actually getting more down with the “plan” than I was yesterday when there was no plan.

Don't be ridiculous!

Details are something to be create ad-hoc when only absolutely forced to. Proper planning is un-Australian!

Will it be a little like the current versions of efficacy/effectiveness, depend on the day.

For example: % of population vaccinated.

• % of population aged 18+
• % of popuation aged 18+ able to be vaccinated
• % of total population
• % of total population able to be vaccinated
• % of Australian citizens
• % of Australian citizens aged 18+
• % of Australian citizens & permanent residents
• % of Australian citizens & permanent residents aged 18+
• % of Australian citizens, permanent residents & close relations of permanent residents
• .... + all temporary arrivals.

Makes a difference to the number of vaccinations required (around 7 million people from least to most encompassing definition, so 14 million doses). Let's hope we don't get into a 'Pfizer only for Aust Citizens' bun fight. As has been reported, in a number of US States, walk into a shopping centre and tourists can get vaccinated. Trying to be a boom industry for Thai Travel agents (do a search).

In the ABS & Border force stats for May 2021 there were around 3,160 'close relations of PR' as well as over 3,000 'visitors' (aka tourist) visas.

Along with permanent skilled visa arrivals (3,830) & temporary skilled visa arrivals (1,480) and temporary student visas (400).

Saw in passing that AZ doses manufactured in India are not to be accepted for EU vaccine passport approval, only EU manufactured doses (& possibly UK). Nothing mentioned about whether Australian manufactured doses of AZ would gain passport approval.

 

[dajop]

The numbers returning from the Olympics, although staggered, wipes out a week of otherwise returning Aussies. August will be a tough month.

Are they in-cap or extras outside the caps with own quarantine arrangements?

 

[Pushka]

Are they in-cap or extras outside the caps with own quarantine arrangements?

As there has never been any explanation, and I've been keeping a watch, I'd expected they are part of the caps. I wish those pesky journalists would ask the right questions.

 

[mviy]

I'm very tempted to make a trip to "New Zealand" at the end of the year. If they removed the threat of fines and imprisonment I'd definitely be going.

 

[Pushka]

I'm very tempted to make a trip to "New Zealand" at the end of the year. If they removed the threat of fines and imprisonment I'd definitely be going.

Reading on some of the FB groups, this has been done and people have even returned, and not even been questioned. Although most just want to leave Australia until at least Covid is over. I'm not sure it would be a good thing to do if you wanted to do it, twice! But first time? Let us know how it goes.

 

[mviy]

Will have to think about it later in the year. I want to wait for the government to let me go, but if they continue to show no signs of being reasonable I may have to reconsider.

 

[Kendall Roy]

I took the comment "Time to stop all Non Citizen/PR arrivals into Aus, including students." As stopping those who aren't citizens or PRs. Not stopping non citizens and stopping PRs.

Yes this is correct; sorry folks, could be worded better.

Citizens = Yes
PRs (Landed) = Yes
Anyone else = No

Implement an MIQ Voucher style system that NZ has, so at least folks can have a level of certainty, with burst capacity in the 1-2 weeks leading up prior to inbound flights.

 

[N860CR]

Will have to think about it later in the year. I want to wait for the government to let me go, but if they continue to show no signs of being reasonable I may have to reconsider.

Had a close friend do this a few weeks ago (before the current drama). Into AKL and onto an SQ flight within 2 hours. Kiwi immigration staff didn’t even bat an eyelid when he said he was connecting to Singapore, so I’m assuming it’s becoming very commonplace