Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[OATEK]

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.

It is pointless longing for the past - it won't come back. Pre-covid we did not have RAT tests available for flu and other viruses for testing at home. If they had been freely and cheaply available some, as @Pushka notes, would be likely to test to protect others. So here we are in a new reality, self-testing is easily done at home, if people feel the need.

But I totally agree with everyone who says that we need to allow people to make informed decisions around the risks of covid and travel (both domestic and international), and for the government to keep out of it now that covid is running freely throughout the community.

 

[Must...Fly!]

This testing and isolation stuff should've only ever been about buying time to fund and bulk the health system to be better able to deal with the disease. I don't need the government to protect me from a virus it cannot track and I'm 3 times vaccinated against.

The comparison with STD testing is an interesting one. Most states I'm pretty sure sex workers need to have a full panel every 3 months. Now, there are obviously other protections, let's say, but you'd think if we took a covid style approach to that, it wouldn't last very long.

 

[drron]

Well there is one reason I will test if I have symptoms and that is because I am 75 and overweight. So I would want to know so I could take insurance against more severe disease..

Among nonhospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at risk of disease progression, a single intravenous dose of sotrovimab, compared with placebo, significantly reduced the risk of a composite end point of all-cause hospitalization or death through day 29.

Effect of Sotrovimab on Hospitalization or Death Among High-risk Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19

This randomized clinical trial compares the efficacy and adverse events of sotrovimab vs placebo in preventing progression of mild to moderate COVID-19 to severe disease.

jamanetwork.com

 

[MelMel]

Well there is one reason I will test if I have symptoms and that is because I am 75 and overweight. So I would want to know so I could take insurance against more severe disease..

Effect of Sotrovimab on Hospitalization or Death Among High-risk Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19

This randomized clinical trial compares the efficacy and adverse events of sotrovimab vs placebo in preventing progression of mild to moderate COVID-19 to severe disease.

jamanetwork.com

Is this readily available in Australia? Would a GP know and be able to treat someone with Sotrovimab?

 

[andye]

Is this readily available in Australia? Would a GP know and be able to treat someone with Sotrovimab?

It's intravenous and been given widely in Australian hospitals to eligible people since before the Delta wave

 

[drron]

Is this readily available in Australia? Would a GP know and be able to treat someone with Sotrovimab?

I would simply ring my local hospital and arrange it.

 

[N860CR]

It is pointless longing for the past - it won't come back. Pre-covid we did not have RAT tests available for flu and other viruses for testing at home. If they had been freely and cheaply available some, as @Pushka notes, would be likely to test to protect others. So here we are in a new reality, self-testing is easily done at home, if people feel the need.

But I totally agree with everyone who says that we need to allow people to make informed decisions around the risks of covid and travel (both domestic and international), and for the government to keep out of it now that covid is running freely throughout the community.

Do we honestly think this is going to go on forever though? The masks, the tests, the hand sanitizer at Woolworths, never knowing if you’re getting on plane until a test 72 hours before? We now know this is a virus no worse than seasonal influenza and we’ve never done this before. But is this the world we plan to live in forever?

 

[oznflfan]

Cambodia just axed all PCR/RAT testing to enter. If you are fully vaxxed, free to enter. First SE Asian domino to fall.

 

[Pushka]

Bring it on

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/sign-we-think-weve-seen-back-of-covid-with-push-to-scrap-this-rule/news-story/e6b2f0b8c265ee612a5b778bc104c41f

"In the very near future the Health Minister will be making some further announcements about things particularly involving pre-testing of flights for those getting on flights to come to Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was a big change to pre-flight testing requirements to be announced soon. That will be an important milestone that’s not too far away from us now.”

 

[oznflfan]

Bring it on

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/sign-we-think-weve-seen-back-of-covid-with-push-to-scrap-this-rule/news-story/e6b2f0b8c265ee612a5b778bc104c41f

"In the very near future the Health Minister will be making some further announcements about things particularly involving pre-testing of flights for those getting on flights to come to Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was a big change to pre-flight testing requirements to be announced soon. That will be an important milestone that’s not too far away from us now.”

Great to see no testing to return at all, and no hotel quarantine for unvaccinated.

If can't be above no testing at all for vaccinated, testing for unvaccinated and no more hotel quarantine.

 

[Michenny]

Don't count your chickens until they hatch i reckons

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Don't count your chickens until they hatch i reckons

Yeah, while I hope the requirement for pre-departure test is lifted soon (at least for fully vaccinated people), until it is announced I will continue to assume I need one in planning my next trip.

 

[dajop]

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was a big change to pre-flight testing requirements to be announced soon. That will be an important milestone that’s not too far away from us now.”

I wish he wouldn't say anything until the announcement was ready.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there was a big change to pre-flight testing requirements to be announced soon. That will be an important milestone that’s not too far away from us now.”

Hmm I echo the thoughts of others, how soon is soon!!

 

[kpc]

Hmm I echo the thoughts of others, how soon is soon!!

Hopefully pretesting to return to Oz will be abolished before April 30th.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Hopefully pretesting to return to Oz will be abolished before April 30th.

I was thinking more like the 27th of March

A boy can dream

 

[Amanad78]

Hmm I echo the thoughts of others, how soon is soon!!

I'm hoping for before 3 April when my parents test to come here from UK

 

[Pushka]

Hmm I echo the thoughts of others, how soon is soon!!

When does he have to declare the election date and caretaker Govt because it will need to be before that happens. Latest election date is 21 May.

 

[cjd600]

I was thinking more like the 27th of March

A boy can dream

By April 15 would be wonderful.
He said an announcement is imminent.
UK removed the requirement announced Monday 14/3, effective 4am Friday 18/3.......hoping for a similar turnaround after the imminent announcement.
Hoping.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Usual recent form has been less than a week. I recall some where speculative thinking was that PM murmurings would be announced by National Cabinet and its in effect days before that.