Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[hb13]

You need to monitor the relevant State/Territory - but not much announcements today by any jurisdiction.

eg NSW still on track for 7 day home quarantine; SA still trialling/looking at 14 days home quarantine; Vic had a vague reference/side comment to test twice and release.

For me VIC is the key as that's where I'll be based if I can come. If they do want to do test twice to release - would they be allowed to if the Federal government mandates 7 days at home as a minimum?

 

[Oubline]

They aren’t all loaded yet though.
I also didn’t see them announce the reverse LHR-SYD was included.

I also noticed that dates in June (at least) are available in J for LHR-MEL, currently listed as transiting in Perth are suddenly available when they weren’t just this morning. So it seems to go beyond just what was announced.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

For me VIC is the key as that's where I'll be based if I can come. If they do want to do test twice to release - would they be allowed to if the Federal government mandates 7 days at home as a minimum?

I get the feeling the Federal Government is staying out of the State/Territory public health quarantine requirements as much as possible unless some institution like the High Court drags them back in - so pretty much all in the State's hands.

Victoria mentioned it once or twice (perhaps more than 2 weeks ago) so given it hasn't been mentioned recently I would now regard it as more vague/hopeful quips. But given today's "National Cabinet" announcement, the Victorian Government will start turning their mind to it - they have until about first week of November (expected date that nation and Vic reaches 80% - as tracked by ABC data analysts) to implement something.

The only thing interesting I saw a passing reference is that the Federal Government is unlikely to place traffic light status on countries so fully vaxxed Australian citizens returning from USA would be treated the same as returning from Cook Islands. (Edit: But who knows what covid zero jurisdictions will do.)

If I understood the UK system correctly, footballers were recently not allowed go to red zone countries for international duty - but I think FIFA is trying to modify that system for the next international football cycle - something like own hotel quarantine for 10 days (or something like that) plus allowed to leave to train and play provided the footballer was fully vaccinated.

 

[Seat0B]

Christmas in Dubai? They do a great Christmas.

Maybe…Seat Son is working all over Christmas with a massive court deadline in February and so volunteered to work so people with families don’t have to. I’m feeling pretty certain about seeing him in March though once he’s on hiatus from court

And you will get to see your son and new DIL too!!

 

[antycbr]

The only thing interesting I saw a passing reference is that the Federal Government is unlikely to place traffic light status on countries so fully vaxxed Australian citizens returning from USA would be treated the same as returning from Cook Islands. (Edit: But who knows what covid zero jurisdictions will do.)

Covid zero jurisdictions by definition must treat people coming from the Cook Islands as if they have walked straight out of a Covid ward. Can’t be too careful you see.

 

[Seat0B]

Their NYE really goes off too:

Massive fire at Dubai skyscraper interrupts New Year's Eve fireworks

One person suffers heart attack and 17 injured as fire shoots up high-rise hotel building in city centre

www.theguardian.com

Which is why they resorted to laser lights on the Burj for 31 Dec 2017!

 

[am0985]

Bit disappointed TBH. I was expecting a seven days home quarantine solution after 80% DD given this had been discussed previously and given the national plan, so that bit isn't surprising. Sure it's coming a bit earlier to NSW but I'm in a job where I can't work from home.

But I was hoping for some green list/bubble countries eg Singapore and maybe even a risk stratified more pragmatic approach given the Covid situations in SYD/MEL.

It really is absurd making vaccinated travellers from most countries quarantine for 7 days given the Covid situation in Australia, especially if a test/release scheme is considered.

The fact Morrison flagged up NZ as a potential country for quarantine free travel (wow, thanks!) really said a lot. Hope we get some more sense soon.

 

[oz_mark]

Bit disappointed TBH. I was expecting a seven days home quarantine solution after 80% DD given this had been discussed previously and given the national plan, so that bit isn't surprising. Sure it's coming a bit earlier to NSW but I'm in a job where I can't work from home.

But I was hoping for some green list/bubble countries eg Singapore and maybe even a risk stratified more pragmatic approach given the Covid situations in SYD/MEL.

It really is absurd making vaccinated travellers from most countries quarantine for 7 days given the Covid situation in Australia, especially if a test/release scheme is considered.

The fact Morrison flagged up NZ as a potential country for quarantine free travel (wow, thanks!) really said a lot. Hope we get some more sense soon.

It will be easier to come and go, but I expect international travel to have a host of challenges over the next 6-12 months. If I had work or family type commitments I might make the journey, but I'm wary of pulling the trigger on just having a holiday just yet!

 

[dajop]

It really is absurd making vaccinated travellers from most countries quarantine for 7 days given the Covid situation in Australia, especially if a test/release scheme is considered.

Yes, completely absurd. During the month of September, in Victoria, Covid live stats would suggest 4 people in HQ had covid contracted overseas, and we don't know the vaccination status of those 4, I bet at least 1 or 2 weren't vaccinated. Now I know that's only out of a small number of arrivals - I assume 2000 people (500 weekly cap x 4). So 1 in 500 inbound overseas travellers. Locally, 15,257 contracted covid out of a population of 6.7m. That's 1 in 440. Am arrival testing regime could probably reduce inbound to 1 in 1000 as well.

However in today's announcement, any change in the predeparture testing requirement? If that is no longer required, the ration of inbound travellers testing positive would certainly increase.

 

[dajop]

I wonder also how much testing will be required for home quarantine and who will pay for it? We travelled from Singapore to Australia in August and will be returning later this month, to go into 7 day home quarantine in Singapore. For the trip we will all up be paying for 4 COVID tests - predeparture from SG (AU requirement), predeparture from AU, arrival in SG and end of 7 day in SG. All up about $600 in testing cost. If Australia adopts a similar model for Covid testing and payment associate with home quarantine, a return trip could cost at least $900 for testing alone. Much cheaper than HQ, and a very big step in the right direction, but definitely not for everyone.

 

[am0985]

It will be easier to come and go, but I expect international travel to have a host of challenges over the next 6-12 months. If I had work or family type commitments I might make the journey, but I'm wary of pulling the trigger on just having a holiday just yet!

I think there'll be some challenges globally until early next year. But this is underestimating how much the rest of the world is moving on from Covid with regard to its borders. The main challenges will be ones of this country's making after this point.

 

[ayushamity]

I know this was posted earlier but watch it now with yesterdays news in mind. Makes you give goosebumps...

Qantas's dreams have come true after a long 18 months

 

[somebol]

Has any airline increased capacity yet?

 

[Jacques Vert]

So who was the first member to predict November 2021?

 

[bulldog88]

What about vaccinated arrivals who don't have a home to self-quarantine in ?

Is there a "softer" hotel quarantine option ? Traffic light system ?

There's a lot to work out before airlines unlock all those seats

 

[bam71]

Yes, as an apartment dweller with a dog, I’d need the option of an Air BNB with backyard to quarantine in for the week back home. I’m hoping something can be arranged……

 

[coyote25]

Yes, as an apartment dweller with a dog, I’d need the option of an Air BNB with backyard to quarantine in for the week back home. I’m hoping something can be arranged……

I suspect, but we need confirmed, that home quarantine is a catch all for a location that you can isolate at which isn’t managed hotel quarantine. The managed part being the big thing. At least I hope that is where we end up with.

It might start with your home or accommodation without a shared entrance which would open up some airbnb like places (probably not apartments in this situation).

Definitely need a state government to start outlining. Given NSW is winning the vaccination race they have the chance to set the standard but they may wait until the results of their home quarantine trial are finished.

 

[hb13]

Yeh I agree with the above comments. Many of us either don't have a place at all, or can stay with family - what do we do? Because that needs to be set out clearly.

I'd be ok with Airbnb or hotel as long as its one of your choice - if I have to stay at a hotel, I may as well earn points and status.

I think once some of these questions are made clear, hopefully we see more airlines open seats up, particularly premium award seats on SQ, QR and EK.

 

[jakeseven7]

Yeh I agree with the above comments. Many of us either don't have a place at all, or can stay with family - what do we do? Because that needs to be set out clearly.

I'd be ok with Airbnb or hotel as long as its one of your choice - if I have to stay at a hotel, I may as well earn points and status.

Canada you could serve your quarantine in any Air BNB you wanted

 

[bulldog88]

Thailand has an "approved quarantine hotel" system , where the hotel works with a medical provider to arrange testing / checkups / hospital transfers as needed.
So the fixed hotel package is 7 (or more) days , but at extra cost to cover the extra services.

Last time I checked , UK was making people pre-order Covid tests (for use after arrival), before catching their flight

All depends how heavy handed the state govt's want to be