Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Tiki]

I just got back from Turkey. Mask compliance is pretty good inside shopping centres. I forgot to wear mine at Migros and the lady wouldn't serve me until I found one and put it on. HES codes are checked at entrances to big shopping malls and the airport. No one wears masks inside restaurants or clubs. PCR test is reasonably priced at 250 TL ($25) if you go to a lab or 450 TL if they come to your hotel. Even the AUD is worth something over there, roughly 10 to 1 AUD. Looking forward to a return trip in Sept!

 

[Flashback]

Where would you rather be in a European winter (yeh I know winter is finished but weather is still not great)!

Still snowing where I am currently in Poland....

I just got back from Turkey. Mask compliance is pretty good inside shopping centres. I forgot to wear mine at Migros and the lady wouldn't serve me until I found one and put it on. HES codes are checked at entrances to big shopping malls and the airport. No one wears masks inside restaurants or clubs. PCR test is reasonably priced at 250 TL ($25) if you go to a lab or 450 TL if they come to your hotel. Even the AUD is worth something over there, roughly 10 to 1 AUD. Looking forward to a return trip in Sept!

Mask compliance is low here. Most seem to wear in the supermarket though... But nowhere else. 4 1/4 hour train ride from Wroclaw to Warsaw yesterday and saw only a handful wearing them despite reminder messages over the PA system.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I just got back from Turkey. Mask compliance is pretty good inside shopping centres. I forgot to wear mine at Migros and the lady wouldn't serve me until I found one and put it on. HES codes are checked at entrances to big shopping malls and the airport. No one wears masks inside restaurants or clubs. PCR test is reasonably priced at 250 TL ($25) if you go to a lab or 450 TL if they come to your hotel. Even the AUD is worth something over there, roughly 10 to 1 AUD. Looking forward to a return trip in Sept!

HES codes are basically gone now, from last Friday.

 

[drron]

France and Belgium removing most restrictions. Vaccine passport no longer required for restaurants and bars,

France to lift COVID vaccine passport rules on March 14, just before presidential election

Rules requiring people to show a COVID-19 vaccine passport to access venues will be lifted in France on March 14 - about a month before the presidential election - saidFrench Prime Minister Jean Castex, as the country gradually eases COVID health protocols amid signs the virus is receeding in...

www.reuters.com

Belgium set to remove almost all COVID restrictions

Belgium will remove almost all its coronavirus restrictions from Monday, ending a requirement to wear masks in almost all places and scrapping the need to show a COVID-19 pass for indoor venues from cafes to sports halls.

www.reuters.com

 

[Michenny]

I have booked and paid for a 8 week campervan trip around Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal and return business class with SIA. GOT a good price under 6000 through a travel agent who matched SIA internet price. so its full steam ahead

 

[OATEK]

Any movement yet on incoming pre-flight tests being scrapped in AU?

 

[Pushka]

Any movement yet on incoming pre-flight tests being scrapped in AU?

I think Floods and Ukraine have overshadowed everything right now. No mention at all. PM has just come out from Covid infection but consumed by other matters so might be a while yet. And I'm sure as heck looking for anything too.

 

[kelvedon]

Any movement yet on incoming pre-flight tests being scrapped in AU?

I’d be surprised if they are dropped before the election.
Most of the population aren’t traveling o/s in the next 6 months and have little appetite for letting untested people into the country. It’s politics not pragmatism.

 

[Tiki]

I wish Fiji would hurry up and scrap the testing and 3 day CFC hotel thing. They have good vaccination rates there. Why are they throwing up these barriers still?

 

[Pushka]

I’d be surprised if they are dropped before the election.
Most of the population aren’t traveling o/s in the next 6 months and have little appetite for letting untested people into the country. It’s politics not pragmatism.

And it's unlikely that a new Govt would act immediately on this anyway. So I hope you are very surprised (that's a fingers crossed btw )

 

[N860CR]

Sydney Intl was a little busy this evening. Nice to see.

Histopath have a good operation setup there. Walked up to the “testing” line, no wait so didn’t even stop before being directed into a chair. Quick scan of the passport, very gentle nose penetration and walked out. Off the train at 6:05 and back on the platform by 6:16. Results received in 27 minutes.

 

[Pushka]

Given the intent expressed today from the National meeting, re reviewing the need for close contacts to isolate, and also phasing away from PCR testing of people with mild respiratory symptoms, I feel it's within the forseeable future that pre flight testing will change.

Isolation period for close contacts to be ditched, national cabinet decides

National cabinet agrees to relax the isolation rules for close contacts of a COVID-19 case as soon as possible, and asks the national expert health panel to provide urgent advice on how to ditch the quarantine period.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Must...Fly!]

Given the intent expressed today from the National meeting, re reviewing the need for close contacts to isolate, and also phasing away from PCR testing of people with mild respiratory symptoms, I feel it's within the forseeable future that pre flight testing will change.

Isolation period for close contacts to be ditched, national cabinet decides

National cabinet agrees to relax the isolation rules for close contacts of a COVID-19 case as soon as possible, and asks the national expert health panel to provide urgent advice on how to ditch the quarantine period.

www.abc.net.au

Be nice if it was within a fortnight! But I know that's not happening

My experiences so far overseas are great. Really there aren't that many foreigners traveling, mostly locals everywhere sticking closer to home. It's a very different vibe to before covid. Glad to experience it while I can ...

 

[OATEK]

Be nice if it was within a fortnight! But I know that's not happening

My experiences so far overseas are great. Really there aren't that many foreigners traveling, mostly locals everywhere sticking closer to home. It's a very different vibe to before covid. Glad to experience it while I can ...

In London there have been some "tourists", but mostly Europeans. Trains are crowded into the city so lots of people back in their offices at least part of the week.

 

[Flashback]

Be nice if it was within a fortnight! But I know that's not happening

My experiences so far overseas are great. Really there aren't that many foreigners traveling, mostly locals everywhere sticking closer to home. It's a very different vibe to before covid. Glad to experience it while I can ...

That's been my view of Europe for the past 2 years. Was great to have Mallorca to ourselves for example, in peak season 1.5 years ago. There weren't even any Spanish visitors there really either.

 

[jakeseven7]

I’d be surprised if they are dropped before the election.
Most of the population aren’t traveling o/s in the next 6 months and have little appetite for letting untested people into the country. It’s politics not pragmatism.

Most (= over 50%) have never in Australia’s history travelled in the ‘next 6 months’ so why would they now….? Weird thing to say

I’m not so sure about peoples appetite now - my gut feel says it’s changed massively - the DOFA said they’ve had the highest numbers ever of people renewing AU passports so clearly there is some intention to go soonish as it’s not cheap to renew….

But most people aren’t going to to travel for leisure unless they have a guarantee to get back in (no test) and I think that’s a fair guarantee to want to have. I feel the same way. I’m only going on business trips where they will pay for any delays.

The pre-departure / arrival tests need to go ASAP. Covid is everywhere here it’s the last stupid nonsensical travel restriction still in existence (apart from WA’s little G2G pass!)

 

[oznflfan]

South Korea first Asian country to be open for fully vaccinated + no quarantine tourism WITHOUT ANY BRAIN SCRAPES from 1st April. Hopefully other countries in the region with drop their PCR Brain Scrape requirements following.

 

[Scr77]

South Korea first Asian country to be open for fully vaccinated + no quarantine tourism WITHOUT ANY BRAIN SCRAPES from 1st April. Hopefully other countries in the region with drop their PCR Brain Scrape requirements following.

I can deal with the brain scrape on leaving AU, it‘s the brain scrape on returning to OZ that is the problem.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

South Korea first Asian country to be open for fully vaccinated + no quarantine tourism WITHOUT ANY BRAIN SCRAPES from 1st April. Hopefully other countries in the region with drop their PCR Brain Scrape requirements following.

What counts as fully jabbed? 2 or 3

 

[oznflfan]

What counts as fully jabbed? 2 or 3

Same as most countries, fully vaccintaed dose (2nd) within last 6 months, or booster (3rd) no timeframe - unlimited.