Qantas removes vaccination mandate for passengers on international flights

In the weeks following the Federal Government’s big change to border entry requirements, Qantas has made an additional change for passengers.

In a move that will be welcomed by millions of travellers entering Australia, Qantas has announced it will no longer require a vaccine mandate for passengers entering the country.

From July 19, the Australian airline will scrap the requirement for all international passengers to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The announcement comes just days after the Federal Government dropped the requirement for all nonresident travellers to either be vaccinated or seek an exemption to enter the country.

In a statement sent to news.com.au, a spokesperson for the airline said passengers will no longer be required to be vaccinated to step on-board the carrier’s planes.

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Qantas has scrapped the vaccine mandate for overseas passengers Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“This follows the Australian Government removing the proof of Covid-19 vaccination requirement for international travellers coming to Australia,” the statement read.

“Vaccination against Covid-19 may still be required by certain countries, so passengers should check the requirements of the country they are travelling to.

The change will impact travellers from around the world. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

“Qantas Group employees will still need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in line with Qantas Group policy.

“Additionally, masks will continue to be required where government regulations stipulate they must be worn, including on-board domestic flights in Australia.”

Qantas is one of the last airlines to enforce the vaccination rule, with most dropping the requirement earlier this year.

Qantas is one of the last international carriers to dump the vaccination rule. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

The change comes as health officials warn “millions” of Australians could contract Covid-19 over coming weeks.

Amid the third Omicron wave of the year, Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged it was “very concerning” how much pressure the country’s hospital systems were under.

“It’s likely over coming weeks that millions of Australians will catch Covid-19, some of them catching it again after perhaps having caught it earlier this year,” Mr Butler told Channel 7.

“Obviously we want to reduce that number and limit transmission through people, so think about wearing masks in indoor spaces especially where you cannot socially distance, but our main focus has to be on reducing the number of people who get severely unwell, who are at risk of attending hospital, or even worse.”

Earlier this month, Mr Butler announced the Australian Government would scrap the need for incoming international travellers to declare their Covid-19 vaccination status.

The Health Minister said the change to the Biosecurity Act was based on advice from chief medical officer Paul Kelly.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil also announced travellers would no longer have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration.

However, they must still comply with the requirements of airlines and states and territories, including the wearing of masks on flights.