Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Lynda2475]

The NSW home quarantine trial is a moot point, already been decided it wont be proceeding and is entirely impractical (and unnecessary) to run such a system for arrivals with a negative test.

If Simovac was suddenly made by Pfizer I think this would win this argument for you

Nothing to do with who makes it and everything to do with performance. Just because the WHO set a pathetic low rate of 50% efficacy doesn't mean we need to accept such a low bar when the vaccines we are using in Australia perform significantly better.

If you haven't had an approved vaccine we should sell you one whist you are in HQ. If you can afford to pay foreign student uni fees you can afford US$60 for a proper vaccine.

 

[tallboy]

It's a long way off for them... but interesting that the QLD 90% fully vaxxed international entry appears a little less restrictive than the NSW version? Doesn't refer to inbound/pre-arrival testing. NSW is a reasonable chance at 90% fully vaxxed before, or around Nov 1; I wonder when/whether we'll give up the testing as well.

I believe that testing requirements should and will be maintained as an additional safeguard for some time, as fully vaccinated people can still catch & carry the virus.

 

[Must...Fly!]

That's absolutely rubbish for any Queenslanders who are hoping that overseas family members will be able to visit them. Doesn't look like that is possible until 90% fully vaccinated unless they fly into SYD or MEL and undertake 14 days of home quarantine, which seems unfeasible.

On the contrary while a bit sad for Christmas the fact QLD is even contemplating no quarantine for international let alone putting a vaccine % on it is pretty amazing given the past 18 months.

Even surprised me that they have indicated in the document provided that "Eligible Queensland population" refers to 16+ and not 12+!

Good idea. While you are at it please don't forget to thank him, Gladys and colleagues for sending Delta down our way in the first place, and for their appalling lack of vaccination and PPE standards for limo drivers picking up international flight crew which sparked the outbreak in the first place...

Ah yeah righto, this old story.

Guess I'll send my letter to the Premier of whatever Chinese province Wuhan is in?

 

[OATEK]

Good idea. While you are at it please don't forget to thank him, Gladys and colleagues for sending Delta down our way in the first place, and for their appalling lack of vaccination and PPE standards for limo drivers picking up international flight crew which sparked the outbreak in the first place...

Surely by now there have been enough failures on both sides of the Vic/NSW border to stop all this blame stuff. Vic suffered more from its own failures (Wave 2), just as NSW has suffered the most from the Limo driver. Pandemics are like that - mistakes are made.

Right now we are about to have the chance to travel overseas, to places that have mostly had it much worse than us from their own failures.

 

[justinbrett]

Good idea. While you are at it please don't forget to thank him, Gladys and colleagues for sending Delta down our way in the first place, and for their appalling lack of vaccination and PPE standards for limo drivers picking up international flight crew which sparked the outbreak in the first place...

Crossroads.

 

[somebol]

Good idea. While you are at it please don't forget to thank him, Gladys and colleagues for sending Delta down our way in the first place, and for their appalling lack of vaccination and PPE standards for limo drivers picking up international flight crew which sparked the outbreak in the first place...

Think about it this way, if it weren't for them you'd be in lockdown till 2024.

 

[blackcat20]

Somehow we managed to survive quite well without them for past 2 years. May be reducing dependence on China in any possible way is good thing?

Universities are shedding jobs so no, not doing quite well without international students.

 

[ayushamity]

Good idea. While you are at it please don't forget to thank him, Gladys and colleagues for sending Delta down our way in the first place, and for their appalling lack of vaccination and PPE standards for limo drivers picking up international flight crew which sparked the outbreak in the first place...

If not for the outbreak, we would be ;looking at international after election in May 2022.

Thank our lucky stars there was a massive outbreak which lit a fire up our assess to get vaccinated.

 

[tallboy]

Ah yeah righto, this old story.

Guess I'll send my letter to the Premier of whatever Chinese province Wuhan is in?

Not sure which part of the story is old ~ feels pretty current to me just now

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with Mr Perignon's "action man" approach and also hope that it prompts similar initiatives here in Victoria.

 

[justinbrett]

Not sure which part of the story is old ~ feels pretty current to me just now

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with Mr Perignon's "action man" approach and also hope that it prompts similar initiatives here in Victoria.

I think the point is, attributing blame to covid is like shouting at someone for spilling their drink on the Titanic.

 

[Jenya]

Universities are shedding jobs so no, not doing quite well without international students.

they will still have Int students, just not Chinese.
And even if not enough - still ok if this jobs is what it takes to jump off CCP needle.
It only means whole sector disproportionally balanced and have to shrink to better match Australian political and long term economic interests.

 

[tallboy]

Surely by now there have been enough failures on both sides of the Vic/NSW border to stop all this blame stuff. Vic suffered more from its own failures (Wave 2), just as NSW has suffered the most from the Limo driver. Pandemics are like that - mistakes are made.

Right now we are about to have the chance to travel overseas, to places that have mostly had it much worse than us from their own failures.

You are, of course, 100% correct.

I am very supportive of the seemingly new pragmatic risk-based approach to decision making in NSW, I just wish they had taken a bit more heed of the lessons and experience of others (yes, including last year's failures here in VIC) when things were going well for them before the limo event in June.

I have a friend (an ex-QF pilot) who has been working as a driver transporting arriving crews and passengers since late last year. They work in pairs (driver & communicator) and right from the start he was required to wear full PPE (protective suit, mask, shield and gloves). When vaccines first became available he and cohabiting family members were required to get vaccinated. Six months later you have the much-pilloried limo driver hung out to dry when if turns out NSW did not require him to wear PPE or be vaccinated. Not his fault. There were no state or national standards, and I hope that our governments have learnt from that.

 

[sydneyboi]

Ok so even when QLD hit 90% we have to still get a covid test within 72hours before when travelling from Sydney say...?

do they accept the NSW health ones ?

 

[jakeseven7]

Ok so even when QLD hit 90% we have to still get a covid test within 72hours before when travelling from Sydney say...?

do they accept the NSW health ones ?

They will accept whatever you can muster up if it even is required…. I have a feeling it will
be dropped.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I believe that testing requirements should and will be maintained as an additional safeguard for some time, as fully vaccinated people can still catch & carry the virus.

But with no requirement to isolate between taking the test and flying, what’s the point of the current PCR tests ‘within 72 hours’? Testing needs to be at the airport, just before check-in.

 

[MARTINE]

But with no requirement to isolate between taking the test and flying, what’s the point of the current PCR tests ‘within 72 hours’? Testing needs to be at the airport, just before check-in.

..agree in respect of the scientific plausibility regarding potential infectivity of contracting C19 after this test....
however , its a practice pragmatism issue - crowds of thousands per day will likely be a turn off for the airlines/airport to manage pre-check in with all the other preembarkation issues....not to mention a positive test meaning the people around said individual sudddenly become Tier 1 contact and sayonara to the holiday. no thanks...security!...I cannot see this practically being implemented.
If you have surgery booked (elective in Vic ) you must not come into contact with anyone outside your intimate partner from time of neg test to arriving at hospital. I am not sure this will be palatable but I dont see the at the airport option flying (pardon the pun). I personally believe if double vaxxed that should be sufficient but I will accept the 72 hour rule which seems to be the international requirements....whatever gets me there. I will also drive myself to the airport!
EDIT My post refers to international travel only. I dont believe any tests should be done prior to travelling within Australia if double vaxxed given the plethora of interactions involved.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

..agree in respect of the scientific plausibility regarding potential infectivity of contracting C19 after this test....
however , its a practice pragmatism issue - crowds of thousands per day will likely be a turn off for the airlines/airport to manage pre-check in with all the other preembarkation issues....not to mention a positive test meaning the people around said individual sudddenly become Tier 1 contact and sayonara to the holiday. no thanks...security!...I cannot see this practically being implemented.
If you have surgery booked (elective in Vic ) you must not come into contact with anyone outside your intimate partner from time of neg test to arriving at hospital. I am not sure this will be palatable but I dont see the at the airport option flying (pardon the pun). I personally believe if double vaxxed that should be sufficient but I will accept the 72 hour rule which seems to be the international requirements....whatever gets me there. I will also drive myself to the airport!
EDIT My post refers to international travel only. I dont believe any tests should be done prior to travelling within Australia if double vaxxed given the plethora of interactions involved.

Melbourne airport just established a PCR 'on departure' facility: Melbourne Airport - Passenger Information | Melbourne Airport

But putting the practicalities of that aside, perhaps there should be a 15-minute rapid test at the airport, with any initial positives referred to the full PCR? Should in theory be the same numbers of people milling around if check-in opens a bit earlier to accommodate the tests.

Airports spent millions expanding to accommodate the A380, maybe they need to spend some money to build testing stations (and waiting rooms).

 

[MARTINE]

Melbourne airport just established a PCR 'on departure' facility: Melbourne Airport - Passenger Information | Melbourne Airport

But putting the practicalities of that aside, perhaps there should be a 15-minute rapid test at the airport, with any initial positives referred to the full PCR? Should in theory be the same numbers of people milling around if check-in opens a bit earlier to accommodate the tests.

Airports spent millions expanding to accommodate the A380, maybe they need to spend some money to build testing stations (and waiting rooms).

Ill do whatever gets me on that plane overseas......! Personally I have never been a "just in time"rather a "just in case" type so would not do it at last minute...have had enough hiccups the world over ie leave hours only to find something causes a s--t show wont add this to my to do list at the airport. Its good that it is there and will be used no doubt....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ill do whatever gets me on that plane overseas......!

I'm totally with you on that! It's just the inconvenience of having to get tested and the cost. Both of them are annoying for seemingly little benefit to the passenger, or the country of arrival. Maybe of benefit to the testing industry.

 

[MARTINE]

I'm totally with you on that! It's just the inconvenience of having to get tested and the cost. Both of them are annoying for seemingly little benefit to the passenger, or the country of arrival. Maybe of benefit to the testing industry.

...given the low yield as a risk mitigation tool in C19 spread these may too go away internationally in the next year or two...perception v reality of doing the right thing are important for airlines and customers (some) concerned about safety alike...