Since the later part of 2021, Australian states have slowly started to open borders and lift quarantine and testing requirements for those wanting to travel interstate. While all domestic borders were set to be open by early February, premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan has decided to keep WA shut tight as Australia deals with Omicron.
If Covid-19 has taught us anything over the last two years, it’s that nothing is certain. No one could have imagined we would be subjected to a pandemic causing lockdowns, border closures and pretty much a standstill to everyday life. So, will 2022 be any different?
In the blink of an eye another Covid-19 variant has reared its ugly head. Omicron, originally detected in South Africa has made its way to Australian shores with cases confirmed in Sydney so far.
Christmas is fast approaching and families all over Australia have wondered what travel plans for the festive season will look like. Like international travel, each state is working to their own timeline based on vaccination rates and restrictions.
The reopening of international borders was a welcome announcement from Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Even more welcome was New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet’s announcement on Friday that will see quarantine for fully vaccinated international travellers no longer apply. This change will come into effect from 1 November 2021.
Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced international borders would re-open in November in line with the National Plan.
While Australia’s Migration Program is currently on hold, there are some instances where visas are being granted where travel exemptions apply. Regardless of the reasons for a visa to be granted, all travellers entering Australia or in some cases anyone travelling from a Covid-19 hotspot into another state will have to undergo 14 days quarantine. For interstate travellers, quarantine could be either in staying in one’s own apartment within limits or in a hotel. For international travellers they have only the option of a hotel at this point. The quality of the hotel room varies.
There are many things Australians and people around the world have missed out on since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of which is international travel. Qantas has announced it will re-commence international flights to select destinations from December 2021 for fully vaccinated travellers. Destinations will include countries that have high and increasing vaccination rates themselves.
The UK commentator, Katie Hopkins’Australian visa, and her subsequent deportment made headlines. It has been reported that Hopkins, broke hotel quarantine rules resulting in her visa being cancelled. A visa can be cancelled, if it is believed that the visa applicant/holder is in breach of sections 101 to 105 of the act. An applicant must pass a character test and prove they are not a risk to the community.
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