Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[mviy]

If you are not covered by a booster mandate in Australia I would still have one say 2-4 weeks before travel regardless of the destination requirements. It’ll help minimise the chances of COVID disrupting your trip.

 

[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.

MY APOLOGIES - UPDATED INFO - SOUTH KOREA IS STILL PART OF THE BRAIN SCRAPE BRIGADE. 24 hours prior to arrival said brain scrape must be done.

 

[Comoman]

Passenger Locator Form dropped from this Friday for the UK.

 

[Flashback]

Yes and all travel restrictions gone. We welcome the unvaccinated in without testing too

 

[hb13]

I think the airline industry really needs to pressure the Australian government into removing the pre-departure test. I can see why this detail may not be looked at just before an election, or straight after - however, that means potentially over six months of a rule that continues to cripple the industry, particularly when everyone else is moving on.

What may be seen as a 'small' or 'insignificant' rule continues to be a massive handbrake on the travel and tourism sector for Australia.

 

[jrfsp]

I think the airline industry really needs to pressure the Australian government into removing the pre-departure test. I can see why this detail may not be looked at just before an election, or straight after - however, that means potentially over six months of a rule that continues to cripple the industry, particularly when everyone else is moving on.

What may be seen as a 'small' or 'insignificant' rule continues to be a massive handbrake on the travel and tourism sector for Australia.

Im not convinced it would make much difference, sure its an inconvenience but where are we expecting the tourists to come from?

The people that really want to come wont be put off. I think the cost of the airfare to come to australia and the cost once here is far more influential than a single covid test, especially at a time when household budgets globally are really being squeezed and economic uncertainty is rising, doesnt do anything for tourism.

 

[ketsuzei]

The people that really want to come wont be put off. I think the cost of the airfare to come to australia and the cost once here is far more influential than a single covid test

It's the likelihood of testing positive and the ramifications of doing so that matter. Cannot plan with any certainty under current rules.

 

[jrfsp]

It's the likelihood of testing positive and the ramifications of doing so that matter. Cannot plan with any certainty under current rules.

What happens if you catch covid when the rules are removed, develop symptoms, positive RAT, would you still get on that plane ? Status quo

Even in the UK you are still advised to isolate if positive

 

[jakeseven7]

Im not convinced it would make much difference, sure its an inconvenience but where are we expecting the tourists to come from?

The people that really want to come wont be put off. I think the cost of the airfare to come to australia and the cost once here is far more influential than a single covid test, especially at a time when household budgets globally are really being squeezed and economic uncertainty is rising, doesnt do anything for tourism.

It would make a huge difference.

Why would anyone take the risk if they have to foot the bill for last minute extra accomodation, change fees for flights, lost income from being a week later to return to work etc. Some people even if they could afford to risk it may not be permitted to because of work commitments.

They all need to go.

 

[dajop]

It would make a huge difference.

Why would anyone take the risk if they have to foot the bill for last minute extra accomodation, change fees for flights, lost income from being a week later to return to work etc. Some people even if they could afford to risk it may not be permitted to because of work commitments.

They all need

I suspect you’re right when it comes to outbound travel by Australians residents. But it was originally suggested tbe testing requirements are major handbrakes and crippling the tourist industry in Australia. If you’re traveling to Australia though (i.e. from your home) things like forking out for accommodation are not necessary. It might be that the testing requirements for returning home is a bigger barrier than the inbound requirements.

I suspect this (for some countries still), economic uncertainty, wars that get extensive cable coverage, and still lingering concerns about the disease itself are bigger barriers than the inbound testing requirement itself.

 

[jakeseven7]

I suspect you’re right when it comes to outbound travel by Australians residents. But it was originally suggested tbe testing requirements are major handbrakes and crippling the tourist industry in Australia. If you’re traveling to Australia though (i.e. from your home) things like forking out for accommodation are not necessary. It might be that the testing requirements for returning home is a bigger barrier than the inbound requirements.

Plus the lottery of trying to rebook flights, rebook any accom you have lined up in your destination country, rebook any domestic logistics in your destination country, get leave re-approved or extended or changed.

Absolutely massive barriers for tourism inbound as well. I don’t blame tourists for not risking it.

 

[OATEK]

I was at an EPL match in London last night , and the fellow behind (after introducing himself) asked if Australians can travel freely or whether they still need to apply for permission. From my sample of one I believe we can safely assume that many overseas do not know the travel requirements to/from AU, and would only be likely to find out if wishing to travel. I guess my point is that few may even be thinking about coming unless they have a good reason, such as family reunion.

 

[hb13]

Im not convinced it would make much difference, sure its an inconvenience but where are we expecting the tourists to come from?

The people that really want to come wont be put off. I think the cost of the airfare to come to australia and the cost once here is far more influential than a single covid test, especially at a time when household budgets globally are really being squeezed and economic uncertainty is rising, doesnt do anything for tourism.

It makes a huge difference. You mention cost when it's got nothing to do with that. It's the risk.

It's not only tourists coming to Australia, but also Aussies travelling literally anywhere worried they'll be stranded. What happens if you're in Europe, test positive and need to spend 10+ days in a hotel?

Also, for the people coming to Australia, that need of having to test is a put off.

I for one love to travel and can't get enough of it. However, apart from Australia (as its home) and anywhere I absolutely have to travel to, I will not even consider going to a country that requires a test.

 

[N860CR]

What happens if you catch covid when the rules are removed, develop symptoms, positive RAT, would you still get on that plane ? Status quo

Even in the UK you are still advised to isolate if positive

Why would you do a RAT, though? If you’re feeling sick, do what you’d have done 2 years ago. I can’t imagine too many horribly sick people happily getting on an aeroplane for an extended period.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Why would you do a RAT, though? If you’re feeling sick, do what you’d have done 2 years ago. I can’t imagine too many horribly sick people happily getting on an aeroplane for an extended period.

Exactly. People got sick before COVID.

If you had a really bad head cold would you put yourself through the agony of a flight with all the changes in pressure etc? What about a temperature so bad you were sweating bullets? 99.9% of people would reschedule their travel. We don't need governments to tell us what to do when we were doing those things on our own.

Madness has got to stop

 

[Pushka]

Exactly. People got sick before COVID.

If you had a really bad head cold would you put yourself through the agony of a flight with all the changes in pressure etc? What about a temperature so bad you were sweating bullets? 99.9% of people would reschedule their travel. We don't need governments to tell us what to do when we were doing those things on our own.

Madness has got to stop

Sadly the electorate has become too used to Daddy/Mummy Govt keeping us safe. That was true a while ago but vaccination and usual health protocols (washing hands etc) has taken over. But hasnt.

Post automatically merged: Mar 16, 2022

Why would you do a RAT, though? If you’re feeling sick, do what you’d have done 2 years ago. I can’t imagine too many horribly sick people happily getting on an aeroplane for an extended period.

Do a RAT but then simply isolate if positive.

 

[N860CR]

Do a RAT but then simply isolate if positive.

I just don’t really see the point of this constant testing. Short of STI testing (which is generally done because of risk or known exposure), we’ve never tested like this before. Had we previously conducted testing for influenza, the common cold etc etc don’t you think we’d all be “testing positive” all the time?

The way I treat illness has largely been the same my whole life. If I’m sick, I’ll stay home, I’ll rest, maybe take some appropriate over the counters and if it gets worse, I might see a doctor. If I'm not sick, well then I won’t. I don’t believe a little plastic stick with two lines on it dictates if I’m unwell or not.

 

[Pushka]

I just don’t really see the point of this constant testing. Short of STI testing (which is generally done because of risk or known exposure), we’ve never tested like this before. Had we previously conducted testing for influenza, the common cold etc etc don’t you think we’d all be “testing positive” all the time?

The way I treat illness has largely been the same my whole life. If I’m sick, I’ll stay home, I’ll rest, maybe take some appropriate over the counters and if it gets worse, I might see a doctor. If I'm not sick, well then I won’t. I don’t believe a little plastic stick with two lines on it dictates if I’m unwell or not.

Sometimes you might not want to expose someone else, eg if visiting a parent with a young baby or an elderly person.

 

[N860CR]

Sometimes you might not want to expose someone else, eg if visiting a parent with a young baby or an elderly person.

True, but would you usually go and see nanna if you were sick. I don’t disagree, but stopping testing is a big step in normalizing the virus. Unless we plan to start influenza testing.

 

[Pushka]

True, but would you usually go and see nanna if you were sick. I don’t disagree, but stopping testing is a big step in normalizing the virus. Unless we plan to start influenza testing.

We do test for influenza. And yes in the UK the family regularly tested if they were visiting other family members, as will we when we visit in May. 63 days to go.