Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[jase05]

Just saw this reported as stated by Morrison. So Jase, as an Adelaide person, can you confirm that any quarantine for international returnees after Nov 23 has 7 days quarantine but at home for fully vaxxed.

"Returning residents who have a place to quarantine will be permitted to home quarantine," SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said

"If you are a visitor, in all likelihood, it will be in a medi-hotel."

I’m presuming your whole household would need to home quarantine?
Still haven’t outlined conditions for those that return via SYD

 

[drron]

I am trying to use up 73k SQ that will expire in April 2022. This VTL is just adding to my stress now.
SQ hasn't even loaded inventory for awards to/from BNE yet. If they add it at all. Apparently some airlines are skittish about Qld and WA.

Turkey is almost at 80% double dose. Maybe they may be added to VTL? Their cases are high but less than the UK.
View attachment 263193

I have had continued change of date redemptions in J BNE-SIN.When changing the date to 2022 first Feb then after the cruise cancelled to March I could no longer cancel on line and told to ring the local office.Ringing the BNE number went straight through to SIN.They signed off on my award date changes.
So maybe ring the BNE number and see how you go.

 

[Pushka]

"Returning residents who have a place to quarantine will be permitted to home quarantine," SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said

"If you are a visitor, in all likelihood, it will be in a medi-hotel."

I’m presuming your whole household would need to home quarantine?
Still haven’t outlined conditions for those that return via SYD

I'm guessing there will be the question 'have you returned from OS in the last 7 days?'....assuming we still have to apply for exemptions. Bring on 90%

 

[dajop]

I have non-VTL flights booked from UK for December
A bit twitchy that SQ may declare my current SIN-SYD flight VTL which I would be ineligible for having transited HKG

In most cases VTL flights are only inbound to SIN. It would be the Australian government that would have to designate it a VTL flight. At the moment SQ are using the idea of "FEPO" (For Eligible Passengers Only) for flights to Australia - only carrying fully vaccinated travellers from SIN-Australia who meet Australia entry requirements. Those on these flights do not need to have come from a VTL country.

 

[Tiki]

I have had continued change of date redemptions in J BNE-SIN.When changing the date to 2022 first Feb then after the cruise cancelled to March I could no longer cancel on line and told to ring the local office.Ringing the BNE number went straight through to SIN.They signed off on my award date changes.
So maybe ring the BNE number and see how you go.

I haven't booked anything yet. I need to coordinate a plan with Turkish friends, avoid their school holidays and ours for best availability and so forth.

 

[andye]

In most cases VTL flights are only inbound to SIN. It would be the Australian government that would have to designate it a VTL flight. At the moment SQ are using the idea of "FEPO" (For Eligible Passengers Only) for flights to Australia - only carrying fully vaccinated travellers from SIN-Australia who meet Australia entry requirements. Those on these flights do not need to have come from a VTL country.

Yes. I booked on FEPO but am twitchy that they could change it to a VTL.
I think this could cause chaos with people like me who are already booked so hopefully will only do it for newly instated flights

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I'm guessing there will be the question 'have you returned from OS in the last 7 days?'....assuming we still have to apply for exemptions. Bring on 90%

Is there a potential loophole? I’m guessing 7 days international quarantine in SA will tempt some to land Sydney or Melbourne and catch up with friends/family for 7 days before going back to SA with no domestic quarantine?!? Or am I mistaken somewhere?

 

[mviy]

Is there a potential loophole? I’m guessing 7 days international quarantine in SA will tempt some to land Sydney or Melbourne and catch up with friends/family for 7 days before going back to SA with no domestic quarantine?!? Or am I mistaken somewhere?

I would not be surprised if states like SA introduce a requirement that to avoid quarantine if you were overseas in the last 14 days you must have been in Australia for the last 7 days and have proof of a negative COVID test after return to Australia to avoid quarantine.

I guess we'll get some clarity as to what the rules will be regarding that soon.

 

[Pushka]

Is there a potential loophole? I’m guessing 7 days international quarantine in SA will tempt some to land Sydney or Melbourne and catch up with friends/family for 7 days before going back to SA with no domestic quarantine?!? Or am I mistaken somewhere?

That would work. But alas for me, no family there. Anyways expected to hit 90% for Christmas.

 

[dajop]

Yes. I booked on FEPO but am twitchy that they could change it to a VTL.
I think this could cause chaos with people like me who are already booked so hopefully will only do it for newly instated flights

As I mentioned VTL flights are primarily a mechanism for inbound travel to Singapore, to separate those who’ve only been in VTL countries (and thus who are not required to do any quarantine period) from those who have been in non-VTL countries (and thus need to undertake some quarantine).

Currently the Australian government has made no mention of differentiating quarantine based on travel history to particular countries - it’s either fully vaccinated or not. Unless the Australian government changes direction on this aspect the flights from SIN to Australia will not become VTL flights.

 

[andye]

As I mentioned VTL flights are primarily a mechanism for inbound travel to Singapore, to separate those who’ve only been in VTL countries (and thus who are not required to do any quarantine period) from those who have been in non-VTL countries (and thus need to undertake some quarantine).

Currently the Australian government has made no mention of differentiating quarantine based on travel history to particular countries - it’s either fully vaccinated or not. Unless the Australian government changes direction on this aspect the flights from SIN to Australia will not become VTL flights.

Thanks. You've clarified my misunderstanding of the process

 

[PineappleSkip]

As I mentioned VTL flights are primarily a mechanism for inbound travel to Singapore,

VTL and non VTL relevant to your return if you are doing a return trip transiting SIN. I am returning from one of the countries not on the VTL list via Germany so can’t book VTL flights FRA-SIN. However there aren’t many such flights (one a week on LH ATM) so currently not a big issue.

cheers skip

Edit. Found the Singapore Smarttraveller advice indicates that they will be providing VTL flights out of Australia from 1 November. Given Australia is not so much a hub for travel from other countries one would expect a higher proportion of VTL flights out of Australia than Germany.

 

[arrow]

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/qantas-international-network-changes/united-kingdom-flights.html?tabId=au-uk

Looks like the pre-departure test requirement has been dropped from Qantas based on the updated website

 

[mviy]

If kids 5-11 start getting vaccinated at the end of next month it's only a matter of time till the rules will require them to have had at least one dose to travel, I suspect. I wouldn't be surprised if they have to have had at least one dose to depart Australia from say 1 January and then a period of time later say end of January they need to have had at least one dose to come home and avoid quarantine.

 

[jrfsp]

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/qantas-international-network-changes/united-kingdom-flights.html?tabId=au-uk

Looks like the pre-departure test requirement has been dropped from Qantas based on the updated website

Thats good news - It did seem overkill! I wouldn't be surprised if its dropped from other destinations that don't require it

 

[drron]

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/qantas-international-network-changes/united-kingdom-flights.html?tabId=au-uk

Looks like the pre-departure test requirement has been dropped from Qantas based on the updated website

But at the bottom of that link it has this -

Applying for clearance to travel​

If you're unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons or you return a positive pre-departure COVID-19 test result, you may still be able to travel with us under the following circumstances:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thats good news - It did seem overkill! I wouldn't be surprised if its dropped from other destinations that don't require it

It has also been 'dropped' from other destinations, replaced with a 'PCR test if required for entry'.

The need for a PCR test before getting on a Qantas flight was simply an old requirement when the travel ban was in place and was the advice for inbound pax on QF charters.

 

[arrow]

But at the bottom of that link it has this -

Applying for clearance to travel​

If you're unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons or you return a positive pre-departure COVID-19 test result, you may still be able to travel with us under the following circumstances:

I was worried about that, but the main page (non-UK page) now reads that's based on destination requirements

Before booking and before travel, ensure you check the latest travel requirements which include:​

• All passengers on international flights operated by Qantas (aged 12 years and older) will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine (unless they have an exemption).
• As part of the Australian Government requirements, customers travelling to Australia will also be required to return a negative COVID-19 test result from an approved PCR testing site 72 hours prior to departure. For other destinations, check the requirements of your destination country.
• Customers need to have been fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine and provided with a vaccination

Qantas International network changes | Qantas

View information on our latest International network changes.

www.qantas.com

 

[Lynda2475]

ABC reports:

The federal government has removed the need for fully vaccinated Australians to ask for permission to leave the country from Monday 1 Nov.

• Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine
• The second dose will need to occur at least seven days prior to travel
• The changes will also facilitate travel by children under 12 years of age

As for those who have not been vaccinated, they will still have to apply to leave the country and say why they want to travel. They will also be subject to passenger caps when they return to Australia and undertake 14 days in hotel quarantine.

 

[jpp42]

Any word on when DFAT Smart Traveller country assessments will be updated? I'm interested to know if any countries will still be rated as "Do not travel" for Covid reasons (as that affects travel insurance typically).