2022 Aussie travel bubble countries revealed

With vaccination rates rising, we could be packing our bags next year. Here are the countries that are most likely to enter into travel bubbles with Australia.

Australians are a nation of travellers and with Covid making international travel all-but impossible right now, there is still some hope on the horizon. With vaccination rates rising around the country, we could soon look forward to packing our bags again.

Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said yesterday border openings and bubbles with Singapore, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand will happen if 80 per cent vaccination rates are reached.

He also suggested that a travel bubble with Japan, South Korea, the US and Great Britain, could likely follow in 2022.

Here, we take a look at the current travel restrictions surrounding those countries and what you’ll need to enter once those planes start flying again.

NEW ZEALAND

Entry to New Zealand from all countries remains strictly controlled to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 with the country suspending quarantine-free travel between Australia and its shores last month.

If there is a critical reason for travel, most travellers – from all countries, including Australia – need to provide a negative pre-departure Covid test.

People entering New Zealand must then stay in managed isolation in a hotel. Like Australia, you must stay in quarantine for 14 days.

Travel from “high-risk” Covid countries such as Brazil, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Pakistan or Papua New Guinea is currently restricted. Currently, there is no “vaccine passport” needed to enter.

Many Aussies have hopes they’ll soon be able to get back across the ditch to New Zealand. Picture: iStock

GREAT BRITAIN

Australia is currently on the “green list” of countries that are able to enter the UK. This means you must be tested negative for Covid, three days before you arrive into the UK. You must also book and pay for a two-day Covid test once you are in the country and also provide authorities with a passenger locator form. Last week, the UK changed its Covid entry rules for travellers coming from the US or Europe; if you’ve been fully vaccinated in the US or most of Europe you do not need to quarantine or take a day eight test when returning from amber list countries.

Pre-Covid, Australians flocked to the US. Picture: Supplied

USA

All travellers to the US aged two years and older must provide a negative Covid test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travellers to America may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from Covid in the 90 days preceding travel.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States, and US residents travelling overseas do not need any vaccines to re-enter the US.

SINGAPORE

Foreigners who are short-term visitors travelling from Australia are currently unable to enter Singapore. You can only apply to enter Singapore as a short term visitor on an Air Travel Pass (ATP) if you’ve been in Brunei, Mainland China or New Zealand in the 21 days before you arrive in Singapore. All travellers, including Singapore citizens and permanent residents, will need to take a Covid test upon arrival in Singapore. All people who enter must do 14 days in hotel quarantine.

TOPSHOT – Women wearing yukatas, a traditional Japanese summer outfit, visit the Sensoji Buddhist temple on August 12, 2021 in Tokyo's Asakusa district. (Photo by David GANNON / AFP)

JAPAN

To travel to Japan, you must submit a negative Covid test result taken within 72 hours of departure for the country. All travellers arriving into Japan are required to take another Covid test and self-quarantine at their home or at another other location for 14 days. Travellers who arrive without proper documentation of a negative Covid test will be denied entry to Japan.

SOUTH KOREA

All travellers to South Korea must provide proof of a negative Covid test result issued within 72 hours of their departure. There is a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry for most travellers.

PACIFIC ISLANDS

Travellers to Fiji must have permission to enter and must provide the results of a Covid test taken within 72 hours before you depart for Fiji, and quarantine for 14 days at your own cost.

PNG’s borders remain closed to most travellers. You will only be allowed to travel to PNG if you’re fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have permission from local authorities.

Originally published as 2022 Aussie travel bubble countries revealed