Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It would be interesting to see what stats / studies are out there that look at the trade off between the accuracy of rapid testing v the risk of a negative PCR test but then to get infected in the ensuing 72 hrs! There’s obviously a range of factors in that equation.

My understanding was the better rapids gave false positives, not false negatives.

 

[hb13]

Ultimately, this is about a mentality thing. The mentality in Australia is still COVID-0 is the only thing that is good enough. If opening the borders up risks that - vaccine or not; the population won't accept it, and the government knows this. At the end of the day, the politicians don't care about anything but winning - not even public health.

Until this mentality changes, we could reach 100% fully jabbed and borders will remain slammed shut - this is likely to be the case past 2024/25.

 

[luxury-lizard]

this may be a bit OT - but certainly in NSW at the moment - requiring hotel quarantine for international arrivals seems totally illogical - NSW health is trusting 1000's (even 10's of 1000's) of close contacts (many/most unvaccinated) of positive cases to home quarantine but not vaccinated and tested international arrivals - go figure !!! and yes - this decision is a federal one - but I'd say NSW should allow its "citizens" to return. (Saw on the news yesterday the QLD CHO said no way to opening the QLD-NSW border even when vaccination is at 70% (if cases aren't back at 0) - did not get asked about 80%).

 

[OATEK]

Ultimately, this is about a mentality thing. The mentality in Australia is still COVID-0 is the only thing that is good enough. If opening the borders up risks that - vaccine or not; the population won't accept it, and the government knows this. At the end of the day, the politicians don't care about anything but winning - not even public health.

Until this mentality changes, we could reach 100% fully jabbed and borders will remain slammed shut - this is likely to be the case past 2024/25.

There are lots of young families surrounding us, and they do not seem to have the mentality of covid-0. They want their kids at school and the ability to move around. Our immediate neighbours are keen to travel OS with their kids.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ultimately, this is about a mentality thing. The mentality in Australia is still COVID-0 is the only thing that is good enough. If opening the borders up risks that - vaccine or not; the population won't accept it, and the government knows this. At the end of the day, the politicians don't care about anything but winning - not even public health.

Until this mentality changes, we could reach 100% fully jabbed and borders will remain slammed shut - this is likely to be the case past 2024/25.

Are you in Australia?
Because from where I’m sitting in NSW that’s far from the majority thinking here.

 

[drron]

Are you in Australia?
Because from where I’m sitting in NSW that’s far from the majority thinking here.

Though here in QLD it is still the majority feeling.Talking to a few employees in hospitality on our recent short trip out west then Hayman Island they were very happy that the NSW border was closed.
But I do watch the almost daily polls on news.com and the tide has definitely turned Australia wide.Two days ago they had a poll that asked should we still be aiming for covid zero or learn to live with the virus.The result was 63% - 37% in favour of living with the virus.

 

[Must...Fly!]

In WA it is still definitely the thinking but the younger cohort have started to shift. My two best friends have gone from supporting immediate lockdowns and border etc to the compete opposite over the last 2 to 3 months.

Older groups - not sure they're quite there yet, however numerous relatives who had put off vaccination for any number of silly reasons have all been busy getting jabbed over the past few weeks....

 

[oznflfan]

In WA it is still definitely the thinking but the younger cohort have started to shift. My two best friends have gone from supporting immediate lockdowns and border etc to the compete opposite over the last 2 to 3 months.

Older groups - not sure they're quite there yet, however numerous relatives who had put off vaccination for any number of silly reasons have all been busy getting jabbed over the past few weeks....

You are born into isolationism and apathy in WA, just how it is. Eastern States may as well to California for most Western Australians.

Eastern States have little pull for any WA folk unless family over there, little incentive to travel there. Now, Bali, SE Asia and Europe a different thing altogether, that will be a strong pull to open up.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

this may be a bit OT - but certainly in NSW at the moment - requiring hotel quarantine for international arrivals seems totally illogical - NSW health is trusting 1000's (even 10's of 1000's) of close contacts (many/most unvaccinated) of positive cases to home quarantine but not vaccinated and tested international arrivals - go figure !!! and yes - this decision is a federal one - but I'd say NSW should allow its "citizens" to return. (Saw on the news yesterday the QLD CHO said no way to opening the QLD-NSW border even when vaccination is at 70% (if cases aren't back at 0) - did not get asked about 80%).

I don't think its off topic.

Let people currently overseas with a place to stay in the W/SW Sydney (say LGAs when they have a 7-day average of above 50 or 100 cases per day) return - won't make the spread materially worse, won't burden hotel quarantine. I think the worst day has been 7 overseas cases. Or at least increase the cap and do say pre-test, day 1 test and if negative let them go to their place in W/SW Sydney.

Still wait for 80% before lifting the travel ban.

 

[Seat0B]

this may be a bit OT - but certainly in NSW at the moment - requiring hotel quarantine for international arrivals seems totally illogical - NSW health is trusting 1000's (even 10's of 1000's) of close contacts (many/most unvaccinated) of positive cases to home quarantine but not vaccinated and tested international arrivals - go figure !!! and yes - this decision is a federal one - but I'd say NSW should allow its "citizens" to return. (Saw on the news yesterday the QLD CHO said no way to opening the QLD-NSW border even when vaccination is at 70% (if cases aren't back at 0) - did not get asked about 80%).

I’ve been saying the same thing for a while now @luxury-lizard. I think our problem is that we are expecting a proportionate, flexible, commonsense approach that respects citizens’ rights. Silly us!

 

[hb13]

Are you in Australia?
Because from where I’m sitting in NSW that’s far from the majority thinking here.

I'm not in Australia - and granted it seems like NSW may be different, but it definitely seems to be the case in QLD, WA, NT, SA, VIC and TAS. Just look at WA and QLD: The leaders there have never been more popular, and these leaders are clear about their COVID-0 ambitions and strict border controls. Or is that not the case?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm not in Australia - and granted it seems like NSW may be different, but it definitely seems to be the case in QLD, WA, NT, SA, VIC and TAS. Just look at WA and QLD: The leaders there have never been more popular, and these leaders are clear about their COVID-0 ambitions and strict border controls. Or is that not the case?

Things are changing rapidly here. Covid Zero is not possible.
In fact the Chief Medical Officer Prof Paul Kelly gave a press conference today saying pretty much exactly that.
The recalcitrant state premiers and CHO will have to come along with it.
We are vaccinating here at a gathering pace as our cases increase. We will be living with Covid.

Don’t be disheartened and don’t believe everything that the likes of Latika Bourke etc writes.

 

[Batterytraveller]

I found a pretty decent ANA business fare to london for Christmas today, doesn’t do anything about the Qantas interest free savings plan, wondering about a speculative booking. We’ll be over 80% by then?

A couple of dinners in Tokyo might be pushing it, though.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I found a pretty decent ANA business fare to london for Christmas today, doesn’t do anything about the Qantas interest free savings plan, wondering about a speculative booking. We’ll be over 80% by then?

A couple of dinners in Tokyo might be pushing it, though.

I’d take a punt if it were me.

 

[drron]

On the Project tonight they certainly haven't given up on covid zero.nor had the epidemiologist who predicted if we opened our borders at 80% of adults vaccinated we would be in lockdown 30% of the time.And he cal;led that living with covid.WTF.

 

[mviy]

Well the PM said "You know, I want Australia to get to Christmas, but I want everybody around that table at Christmas time."

Press Conference Canberra, ACT | Prime Minister of Australia

www.pm.gov.au

For some families including mine to have everyone around the table would require either outbound international travel to be allowed before Christmas or inbound travel with a 110% guarantee that home quarantine would be allowed in all cases.

 

[Flashback]

Well the PM said "You know, I want Australia to get to Christmas, but I want everybody around that table at Christmas time."

Press Conference Canberra, ACT | Prime Minister of Australia

www.pm.gov.au

For some families including mine to have everyone around the table would require either outbound international travel to be allowed before Christmas or inbound travel with a 110% guarantee that home quarantine would be allowed in all cases.

Given that I had Christmas, and then it was taken away at the last minute, it'll be interesting to see if/when that happens and how people deal with it. For us it was very depressing and turned into a meal for just my wife and I and no one else. Very sad.

 

[oznflfan]

I’d take a punt if it were me.

I'm considering taking a punt on Europe early July 2022, but still hesitant. A) If I am able to leave the country, B) If I am told 7 days home quarantine, that converts back to 14 days HQ due to 1 more case that the threshold from wherever I am visiting.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm considering taking a punt on Europe early July 2022, but still hesitant. A) If I am able to leave the country, B) If I am told 7 days home quarantine, that converts back to 14 days HQ due to 1 more case that the threshold from wherever I am visiting.

Good luck. For myself it’s nearly two years since I saw my Mum and Dad in the UK. As soon as I see an opening, even a glimpse of one I’m going.

 

[JB expat]

Covid: Sniffer dogs could bolster screening at airports

Trials suggest dogs could contribute to efforts to prevent the spread of Covid at mass gatherings.

www.bbc.com

88% accuracy - dogs Plus tests?