Qantas 7 Day COVID Submission - How Long to process?

[jrfsp]

Australian girl, 14, locked in Thai COVID hotel as travel horror stories pile up

Thai authorities separated a young girl from her family and locked her in COVID isolation earlier this month. It’s one of a number of holiday horror stories some travellers are blaming on Qantas’ travelling requirements.

www.smh.com.au

 

[big_RED]

UPDATE 2: we made it through Qantas LAX check in without any issues at all. Felt for another family as they apparently got "NAAT" tests prior to departure and were getting blocked by the Qantas staff . So I hope they made it through.

Biggest annoyance is I assume due to COVID, our originating tickets to LAX and through to Sydney weren't linked so we had to check in at LAX as well. This meant for the 8hr layover we spent 4hrs in the check-in area as the Qantas desks only opened 4hrs prior. I was expecting to be able to sit in the lounge for the full 8hrs

 

[Swampy1983]

UPDATE 2: we made it through Qantas LAX check in without any issues at all. Felt for another family as they apparently got "NAAT" tests prior to departure and were getting blocked by the Qantas staff . So I hope they made it through.

Biggest annoyance is I assume due to COVID, our originating tickets to LAX and through to Sydney weren't linked so we had to check in at LAX as well. This meant for the 8hr layover we spent 4hrs in the check-in area as the Qantas desks only opened 4hrs prior. I was expecting to be able to sit in the lounge for the full 8hrs

Thanks for all the updates Big Red, very useful! When you say your tickets weren't connected, does this mean you weren't able to check in for the entire journey at your originating port? What about baggage? We only have a 2.5hr layover in LAX on our QF itinerary (connecting from Mexico) and was assuming that we would be checked through to Australia at our origin. It will be very tight if we have to do full check in at LAX.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[AFF Editor]

UPDATE 2: we made it through Qantas LAX check in without any issues at all.

Glad to hear you're finally able to come home.

I got in touch with Qantas about this issue, and they said they're planning to remove the requirement to apply for medical clearance due to a past COVID-19 infection from next week.

Qantas to Drop Medical Clearance Form for Past COVID Cases

Qantas will remove the requirement for passengers with a previous COVID-19 infection who are still testing positive on their pre-departure PCR test to

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[big_RED]

does this mean you weren't able to check in for the entire journey at your originating port?

Yeh for some reason we couldn't. I can only imagine it was because of Qantas/Government check in rules. Even though every single doc was reviewed at our original departure destination.

However our bags were sent all the way so no need to pick them up at LAX.

Another article about Qantas and Government rules changing!

Australia to accept RATs from inbound travellers in major overhaul

Inbound travellers will no longer need an expensive PCR test before they travel to Australia and wait times for those who catch COVID overseas and are now clear will be halved.

www.smh.com.au

 

[nikkil]

Glad to hear you're finally able to come home.

I got in touch with Qantas about this issue, and they said they're planning to remove the requirement to apply for medical clearance due to a past COVID-19 infection from next week.

Qantas to Drop Medical Clearance Form for Past COVID Cases

Qantas will remove the requirement for passengers with a previous COVID-19 infection who are still testing positive on their pre-departure PCR test to

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

That would be amazing if they scrapped it! Did you get any indication of a precise date at all? My mum is stuck in London, we've already moved her flights twice, and we'll have to do it again given this requirement.

 

[AFF Editor]

That would be amazing if they scrapped it! Did you get any indication of a precise date at all? My mum is stuck in London, we've already moved her flights twice, and we'll have to do it again given this requirement.

I don't have an exact date, sorry, other than it will likely be sometime this week.

However, this may now been a moot point if your mother can get a negative rapid antigen (lateral flow) test within 24 hours before departure. (The Australian government now accepts this instead of a PCR test since Sunday.) In that case, the medical exemption should not be required.

 

[gaz1]

Does anyone know if Singapore Airlines requires medical certificates, etc for past Covid infections? (in particular if you are happen to get it overseas whilst on holidays)?
(I couldn't find this info in my search so apologies if this has already been asked)

 

[nikkil]

I don't have an exact date, sorry, other than it will likely be sometime this week.

However, this may now been a moot point if your mother can get a negative rapid antigen (lateral flow) test within 24 hours before departure. (The Australian government now accepts this instead of a PCR test since Sunday.) In that case, the medical exemption should not be required.

Well good news, I just re-checked the Qantas page and Qantas have removed the requirement to upload the documents in advance for flights to Australia:

2. Submitting your documents​

The process is different for flights to Australia and for flights from Australia.
Flights to Australia
For flights to Australia, you don’t need to submit your signed medical clearance form to us in advance, but you will need to show your completed documents at the airport when you check in for your flight.
Flights from Australia
For flights from Australia, we're prioritising requests for clearance by date of travel. Please make sure you’re submitting the correct documentation and allow as much time as possible before your flight, but no later than the day before travel.


Mum's going for one last try for a negative RAT today. If that's still positive we have an appointment lined up for this afternoon to get the past positive clearance form so she will definitely be able to fly tomorrow.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Qantas have removed the requirement to upload the documents in advance

Good news, thanks, and welcome to AFF!

cheers skip

 

[Spacetravel]

I am so confused. Does Qantas (the actual airline) require a negative covid test/ medical exemption form before international flight out of Australia? I tested positive for covid in January, but now test negative on RA tests. Going to Canada on Monday. Canada say if you have a positive PCR test more than 10 days before travel, less than 180 days. No covid test is required for entry. Even though I test negative for ease of travel I wasn't going to take one.

Just got an SMS from Qantas regarding my flight that says I need a negative test or the Qantas medical exemption form. Are they telling me on behalf of Canada or is this a Qantas rule?

Obviously this isn't something I can get wrong. Is the message I received correct and I need to rush and get the form completed by a doctor. Or is it an automated message catering to the old system?

 

[Scr77]

I am so confused. Does Qantas (the actual airline) require a negative covid test/ medical exemption form before international flight out of Australia? I tested positive for covid in January, but now test negative on RA tests. Going to Canada on Monday. Canada say if you have a positive PCR test more than 10 days before travel, less than 180 days. No covid test is required for entry. Even though I test positive for ease of travel I wasn't going to take one.

Just got an SMS from Qantas regarding my flight that says I need a negative test or the Qantas medical exemption form. Are they telling me on behalf of Canada or is this a Qantas rule?

Obviously this isn't something I can get wrong. Is the message I received correct and I need to rush and get the form completed by a doctor. Or is it an automated message catering to the old system?

Sorry, can’t really answer your question, however does Canada accept RAT tests? If so, you could do that on departure to cover all bases.

 

[Spacetravel]

Sorry, can’t really answer your question, however does Canada accept RAT tests? If so, you could do that on departure to cover all bases.

They accept supervised rat tests. However without the exemption they require one on arrival and another on day 5 which I'll be on a mountain so that will be too difficult. But this is where things get complicated and I'm not sure "who" is asking for what. I could get a rat test on departure for Qantas. But still submit my past positive result in arrivecan for Canada. I'm not sure if they talk to each other and if I need to commit to the same thing the whole way through (no covid test due to past positive or a covid test)

 

[kazzadazzla]

They accept supervised rat tests. However without the exemption they require one on arrival and another on day 5 which I'll be on a mountain so that will be too difficult. But this is where things get complicated and I'm not sure "who" is asking for what. I could get a rat test on departure for Qantas. But still submit my past positive result in arrivecan for Canada. I'm not sure if they talk to each other and if I need to commit to the same thing the whole way through (no covid test due to past positive or a covid test)

Hey, what was the outcome with your flight? I'm in the same boat, heading to Canada in a few days. I have a positive PCR test from about 2 months ago, thought I was in the clear for pre-departure testing, but just got an SMS from Qantas saying I need a pre-departure test or medical exemption.

What ended up happening in your case?

 

[pineapplevilla]

Flying to USA Monday (Jetstar to Hawaii actuallY), the CDC (AMERICA) requires a negative covid test or if you are past covid positive you can apply for the exemption which we have done. Am hearing radio silence from the email [email protected]. if anyone is reading this is there a phone number? Am on hold to Qantas now 2 hour delay time. Jetstar know nothing about it from their call centre however it is a rule and its on their website. i am so confused and stressed !

 

[Scr77]

Flying to USA Monday (Jetstar to Hawaii actuallY), the CDC (AMERICA) requires a negative covid test or if you are past covid positive you can apply for the exemption which we have done. Am hearing radio silence from the email [email protected]. if anyone is reading this is there a phone number? Am on hold to Qantas now 2 hour delay time. Jetstar know nothing about it from their call centre however it is a rule and its on their website. i am so confused and stressed !

Are you now negative on a RAT? If so, you could just get the histopath RAT at the airport to avoid the stress. (I presume Hawaii is ok with RAT like mainland)

 

[pineapplevilla]

Are you now negative on a RAT? If so, you could just get the histopath RAT at the airport to avoid the stress. (I presume Hawaii is ok with RAT like mainland)

They finally emailed us the clearance. Was negative on a rat so that would have been the best alternative. thank you.