Australia’s Health Department Chief Brendan Murphy has said it is still premature to expect the country to reopen borders in 2021.
There are currently travel restrictions within Australia’s internal borders and state and territory border openings might be only one way, meaning that you would be able to enter but not be able to return without quarantining. Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. At the moment, only very limited flights are available to and from the country.
Hear from Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy about the importance of self-isolating after returning to Australia from overseas and practising social distancing. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/tzlY8otpwl
— Australian Government Department of Health (@healthgovau) March 21, 2020
Since 22nd January, if you are traveling to or transiting through Australia you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours or less before your scheduled departure. If you do not have a negative COVID-19 test, you should not go to the airport as you will not be allowed to board the aircraft.
Even though the vaccination drive has begun, the government wants to carry on with substantial border restrictions hoping it will prevent the spread of the virus. The country’s Health Chief said people should continue to quarantine themselves as this is one way to get rid of the virus. It’s likely that quarantine will continue for some time.
Some two-way quarantine-free services for trans-Tasman routes and flights to some Asian destinations may resume this year, but most long haul international flights may have to wait until 2022. Qantas has started allowing bookings for international flights from 1 July 2021 however there is no guarantee yet that those flights will operate.
