Minefield of regulations facing Australian travellers overseas

The world is finally opening up to international travel but anyone venturing offshore will need to navigate a minefield of rules and regulations.

Flights to London from Australia are proving very popular but anyone venturing beyond the city will need to do extensive homework. Picture: Getty Images

The world is opening up for Australian travellers, with an increasing number of countries granting access to fully vaccinated visitors with no need to quarantine.

From London and Los Angeles – currently the two most popular destinations out of Sydney according to Qantas bookings – Aussies will be able to visit a range of other places.

But exhaustive research is needed to navigate the complex range of rules – which differ widely from country to country.

To get to London and LA, a negative pre-departure test 72-hours before flying is required, as well as proof of vaccination.

For London-bound travellers, a Covid-19 test must also be booked for no later than two days after arrival, and a passenger locator form filled out.

From London, Australians are free to enter France with proof of vaccination and a sworn declaration stating you are free of Covid-19 symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone infected with the virus.

In Italy, fully vaccinated arrivals from Australia are welcome providing they submit to a rapid swab test on arrival, in addition to a pre-departure test.

Spain is also open to fully vaccinated people on the basis they have travelled directly from Australia, and transited through other exempt countries such as London or Singapore.

Returning from Spain to London for a flight home could prove more difficult with up to two Covid-19 tests required before departure.

For London-bound travellers, a Covid-19 test must also be booked for no later than two days after arrival, and a passenger locator form filled out. Picture: AFP

Face masks are mandatory in Turkey in airports and on flights, but travellers with a European Union or World Health Organisation approved vaccine can enter without the need for a Covid-19 test.

Vaccine brands accepted in Europe include Vaxzevria AstraZeneca, which is the same as the “Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca” administered in Australia.

In the interests of clarity, AstraZeneca is updating the name to Vaxzevria to help facilitate travel for people.

Ireland requires overseas arrivals to complete a passenger locator form 72-hours before landing, with the penalty for noncompliance ranging from a large fine or a month in jail.

Anyone hoping to head to Canada after touching down in Los Angeles will need to download the ArriveCAN app, undergo a pre-departure Covid-19 test and provide proof of vaccination.

Countries further afield, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia are largely off-limits to international travellers for the foreseeable future.

Phuket is an exception, however fully vaccinated guests are required to pre-book seven-days of “sandbox” quarantine in approved accommodation.

The minefield of rules and regulations has been condemned by the International Air Transport Association as “too complex and onerous” for travellers.

A survey of 4700 people found 85 per cent of respondents were willing to be Covid-tested, but three-quarters said the cost and inconvenience was a major deterrent.

IATA director-general Willie Walsh said both of those factors could be addressed by moving to rapid antigen tests which were less inconvenient and costly than PCR tests.

Inquiries to Flight Centre in the last week showed many Australians were still hesitant to head offshore, with 70 per cent relating to domestic travel, and only 30 per cent seeking overseas trips.

Cairns was the most sought after domestic destination followed by the Gold Coast, while Fiji led international flight inquiries, ahead of New Zealand.

The travel agency also saw a strong uplift in inquiries about interstate travel between Victoria, NSW and Queensland, in response to rising vaccination rates.

Originally published as Minefield of regulations facing Australian travellers overseas