In addition to existing travel restrictions, Australia is set to introduce Covid-19 testing for all international arrivals
In light of the emergence of new Covid-19 variants, Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) issued a statement on safe international air travel.
The AHPPC recommendation includes compulsory Covid-19 testing for all international arrivals. A negative test result will be required prior to departure:
‘’Passengers travelling to Australia must be tested for COVID-19 72 hours or less prior to departure, and display evidence of a negative test result. PCR testing is required. Exemptions from this requirement may be available in extenuating circumstances including use of rapid antigen testing in rare cases. Members of a travelling party who have been close contacts (e.g. household contacts) of a traveller who has a positive test result will also not be allowed to travel to Australia until all members of the party are no longer infectious.’’
The testing requirement is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks and it has been confirmed by the National Cabinet.
Additional requirements remain in place, including:
– Passengers and crew on international flights must wear a face mask while in the airport environment and during the flight. Masks should be changed regularly.
– Masks are not required for children under 12 years of age and those with other recognised exemptions.
– Non-Australian citizens must have a valid visa and approved exemption to travel.
– Exempted travellers mainly include spouses and children of Australian citizens and permanent visa holders.
– All travellers must complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure for Australia.
– All international arrivals must go into government approved mandatory quarantine for 14 days from arrival in the city of arrival.
International passenger caps in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia will be temporarily halved from no later than 15 January 2021 to manage the flow of returning Australians and other travellers who have been potentially exposed to the new variants. Current international passenger caps in Victoria and South Australia and arrangements in the Northern Territory are considered manageable and will remain in place.
-For New South Wales, that will be a weekly cap of 1,505 arrivals.
-For Victoria, there will be no change and arrivals will remain at 1,120 per week.
-For Western Australia, that will be a weekly cap of 512 arrivals.
-For Queensland, that will be a weekly cap of 650 arrivals.
-For South Australia, there will be no change and arrivals will remain at 490 per week.
-Arrangements for arrivals to the ACT and Tasmania will be settled shortly.
Arrangements on international passenger caps will be reviewed by National Cabinet in early February.
Travel out of Australia:
There is a ban on all overseas travel, unless granted an exemption.
AG
