Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[MooTime]

Ban a few countries, maybe a continent for couple weeks couple months big deal.
Hardly a panic or hysteria.

Can still travel most of the globe, economy still turning, keep employment up.

So much to play out with this new Apple Google Nokia model.

 

[mviy]

The concern is that it could be a slippery slope. First it is just a few countries. It could easily develop to another global ban to “flatten the curve”.

 

[Must...Fly!]

It may not seem like much to some of you, but these kind of changes make it very difficult to plan trips.

100% agree.
Can you turn Krisflyer points in to gift vouchers?

 

[N860CR]

Covid: Dozens test positive on SA-Netherlands flights

The Dutch health authority says the new Omicron variant was "probably found in a number of people".

www.bbc.com

61 passengers out of ~600 passengers on two JNB-AMS flights tested positive to COVID, authorities aren't sure which variant those who tested positive have.

That's a very high rate [10%] and those who were on the planes who initially tested negative will no doubt be at risk of being highly exposed given ~300 pax on each flight leaves little room to space passengers out. The article indicates pax were held on the tarmac for 4 hours after landing, hope those flights don't become a Ruby Princess equivalent !

Yet I’m quite sure not a single one of those people were “sick”. It’s a mild virus. I’ve had a sore throat this week which is no doubt worse than Covid. This hysteria needs to end.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yet I’m quite sure not a single one of those people were “sick”. It’s a mild virus. I’ve had a sore throat this week which is no doubt worse than Covid. This hysteria needs to end.

What I find rather humorous through all this scare mongering about variants.

Have we as humanity ever had a communicable respiratory disease studied as detailed, as closely, as widely as COVID-19? Doubt it. And yet somehow we are surprised that when we intensely focus on something, we find out more about it.

The reactions are the problem, not the virus.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I haven't checked Victoria but in NSW effective now it’s 14 days Hotel Quarantine for anyone arrived from Southern Africa

 

[Flashback]

You can add the UK to the list of having the new variant confirmed...

Covid: Two cases of new variant Omicron detected in UK

Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron, the health secretary says.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Amanad78]

UK have gone back to PCR 2 day testing for all arrivals, rather than lateral flow.

Of course, my lateral flow test is already waiting at my parents house as it has to be purchased and paid for in advance. I arrive on Christmas Day.

 

[robbo135]

Australia’s first two cases of Omicron variant detected in Sydney

Two people have tested positive to COVID-19 on arrival into Sydney from a flight carrying 14 passengers from southern African countries affected by the Omicron variant.

www.smh.com.au

"The eagle has landed"?

One has to question the effectiveness of pre-travel PCR testing particularly given there are dodgy operators and/or fake certificates being offered.

 

[Pushka]

UK have gone back to PCR 2 day testing for all arrivals, rather than lateral flow.

Of course, my lateral flow test is already waiting at my parents house as it has to be purchased and paid for in advance. I arrive on Christmas Day.

Son and DIL are likely mid flight from Malta to UK after a week away.

 

[Melburnian1]

I have already timed my return date and made plans to do things within 72 hours after returning from the UK early next year with other fully vaccinated people on the strength of rules that started earlier this month of having no quarantine at all.

If the 72 hours of home quarantine is introduced in VIC and remains into next year this is going to disrupt my travel plans even if I test negative on every test.

It may not seem like much to some of you, but these kind of changes make it very difficult to plan trips.

That same '72 hours' is now also applicable if returning to Victoria from overseas.

 

[jakeseven7]

I wonder if people know that the next variant of concern after Omicron / Decepticon / Autobots, is probably already circulating just waiting to be found… and the next one after that…

 

[Flashback]

Son and DIL are likely mid flight from Malta to UK after a week away.

Won't apply to them. They'll be on a PLF under the old system, it's unlikely to take effect until early to mid next week.

 

[Pushka]

Won't apply to them. They'll be on a PLF under the old system, it's unlikely to take effect until early to mid next week.

So I understand the main difference is take the PCR by second day of arrival and isolate until negative? As Other son and DIL due to arrive on 17 Dec. Does this testing requirement also apply to children (2 year old?)

 

[Flashback]

So I understand the main difference is take the PCR by second day of arrival and isolate until negative? As Other son and DIL due to arrive on 17 Dec. Does this testing requirement also apply to children (2 year old?)

Correct, if in transit though the same exemptions apply (as of now). Not sure as the SI hasn't been updated yet. Unlikely to apply to children that young though if previous SI's are anything to go by.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Does anyone know the detail of how the 72 hours works. I am unsure whether I can transit overnight (tomorrow) then proceed to my booked accommodation (monday) in BNK. Overnighting at Rydges at SYD International and suspect it will be booked out when I arrive so can't extend.

cheers skip

 

[jakeseven7]

Does anyone know the detail of how the 72 hours works. I am unsure whether I can transit overnight (tomorrow) then proceed to my booked accommodation (monday) in BNK. Overnighting at Rydges at SYD International and suspect it will be booked out when I arrive so can't extend.

cheers skip

I’m sorry I don’t but just wanted to express great empathy for your situation

Hopefully you aren’t assigned a personal supervisor from the army to ensure you isolate… ahem…. Because I’m sure many people won’t bother…

 

[Tiki]

How bad can this Omicron really be? Look at the stats of South Africa with other similar sized countries ~60 million. Not to mention that South Africa is only 23.8% vaccinated and it is not killing that many people. I am just so sick of the media induced panicking!

 

[Flashback]

Correct, if in transit though the same exemptions apply (as of now). Not sure as the SI hasn't been updated yet. Unlikely to apply to children that young though if previous SI's are anything to go by.

Prime Minister sets out new measures as Omicron variant identified in UK: 27 November 2021

The Prime Minister has today confirmed new temporary and precautionary measures following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the UK.

www.gov.uk

Confirmation they're fine, won't take effect until a few days from now.

 

[Pushka]

View attachment 266068

How bad can this Omicron really be? Look at the stats of South Africa with other similar sized countries ~60 million. Not to mention that South Africa is only 23.8% vaccinated and it is not killing that many people. I am just so sick of the media induced panicking!

I was about to say, just maybe the new variation isn't as scary as being portrayed. I even heard one of the experts this morning saying the same thing. If getting it provides protection from other covid variations then just maybe, bring it in. Nature has a strange way of curing itself sometimes.