Travel rules: Covid tests, vaccination certificates and quarantine for Australians heading overseas
The latest announcements on overseas travel are game-changers. Here’s what you need to know.
As the departure date for international travel approaches, Australians want to know what’s in store at their favourite destinations and when they return. Here’s your complete guide to Covid-era overseas travel.
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NSW - RETURNING HOME
What’s the latest news on overseas travel?
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Friday that NSW’s international border would open to tourism on November 1. He said fully vaccinated travellers would be able to enter the country without having to quarantine – either in a hotel for 14 days or at home for a week. This was quickly countered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said first priority would be given to returning Australian citizens and residents, not tourists. Anyone returning to Australia will need a vaccination certificate and proof of a negative PCR Covid test before their flight home. There will be no restrictions on movement on landing back in Australia. The same rules apply to fully vaccinated international tourists.
Which vaccines are recognised by Australian authorities?
The four approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration: AstraZeneca (Vaxsevria), Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax) and Janssen also known as Johnson & Johnson (COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen). This includes the Indian-manufactured AstraZeneca.
Which ones are not recognised?
The Chinese vaccines Sinovac and Sinopharm, India’s Covaxin and Covishield and Russia’s Sputnik V. However, it’s likely Sinovac and Covishield will get the tick of approval soon.
What if I’m unvaccinated?
Then you’ll have to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days and pay the cost.
Why would this be such a big deal?
The prospect of having to go into hotel quarantine at a cost of $3000 after being overseas is a major disincentive to incoming and outgoing travellers considering a trip. It also means all those Australians who have been stuck overseas will be able to return home to their loved ones without further financial or emotional hardship. When international visitors are allowed back in, Australia’s struggling tourism industry can start to get back on its feet after a torrid 20 months.
What about the rest of Australia?
The other states and territories are yet to offer quarantine-free arrivals to incoming residents and visitors.
So, where do we go from here? Read on ...
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FIJI
Can I fly to Fiji for a holiday?
From December 1 – yes. That’s when Fiji Airways will deliver the first cohort of tourists to the island nation since its international border closed in March 2020. Fully vaccinated Australians will be welcome, along with travellers from New Zealand, the US, Britain, the UAE, Canada, Qatar, Germany, Spain, France, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan and most Pacific Island countries and territories.
So do I have to be vaccinated?
If you’re over 18, yes. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says the country is adopting a no-jab, no-fly policy.
What else will I need?
Apart from a vaccination certificate (for adults), anyone over 12 needs proof of a negative PCR Covid test, obtained no more than 72 hours before departure. They will also have to submit to a rapid test at their pre-booked resort or hotel upon arrival, and stay within the hotel precinct until their result arrives (about 48 hours). After that, they’re free to roam more widely, keeping within designated safe zones. All arrivals have to download the careFIJI app for contact-tracing purposes. Travellers must have spent the previous 10 days in the country from which they are departing.
Will there be many flights?
On December 1, Fiji Airways is launching 14 flights a week from Sydney (twice a day) on the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 737 Max. The airline also plans to restart daily flights from Melbourne and Brisbane at a date to be announced. Virgin Australia will recommence flights from December 16, with direct flights from Sydney (up to twice daily), Melbourne (up to daily from December 17) and Brisbane (up to three times a week from December 18). Jetstar will offer five flights a week from December 17 while Qantas is kicking off with four weekly flights from December 19.
What’s the Covid situation there?
The Fijian Government has been highly proactive in encouraging the population to get vaccinated, with double-dose rates already at 80 per cent. The main island of Viti Levu is still subject to containment zones and curfews. The tourism industry is working towards a 100 per cent vaccination rate for all staff. Fiji has been one of the most popular destinations in Australian travellers’ online searches since the November lifting of international borders was announced.
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BRITAIN
Do I need to be fully vaccinated to travel to Britain?
No, but airlines such as Qantas and Air New Zealand are planning to accept only fully vaccinated passengers when international travel resumes.
Which vaccines are approved by British authorities?
AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen, or one dose of two of these. Australia’s vaccination program is recognised by Britain.
Do I need a vaccination certificate?
Yes. It must display your first and last names, date of birth, vaccine brand and manufacturer, date of vaccination for every dose and the issuing national or state authority, ie, the Australian government.
What should I do before arriving in Britain from Australia?
To arrive as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must have completed a course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival. You need to have booked and paid for a Covid test (£68; $127) to be undertaken on Day 2 after your arrival. In the 48 hours before arriving, you’ll also need to fill in a passenger locator form.
What’s the passenger locator form?
It helps with contact tracing in the event you or someone you travel with is diagnosed with Covid-19. It is an online form that includes information such as your passport details, times and dates of travel, the address you’ll be staying at in Britain and, importantly, your Covid test booking reference number. Once you submit the completed form, you receive a QR code and can download a copy to show when travelling.
Do I have to quarantine on arrival in Britain?
No, assuming you haven’t arrived from a country on Britain’s red list, and you’re fully vaccinated.
What if I’m not vaccinated?
You need proof of a negative Covid test obtained three days before arrival. You must undertake 10 days’ strict quarantine at the address nominated on your passenger locator form and undergo tests on Day 2 and Day 8 with negative results. Day 0 is considered the day you arrive in Britain. You’ll be contacted daily by health authorities to ensure you’re following quarantine guidelines, and risk a £10,000 fine if you flout the rules.
What about the Test and Release scheme?
Under this arrangement you can book an additional private Covid test on Day 5. If your results from Day 2 and Day 5 are negative, you can leave quarantine but you must still undergo a test on Day 8. This scheme is not open to travellers who have been in a country on Britain’s red list in the 10 days before arrival.
Do these rules apply for all of Britain?
Pretty much. If you’re planning to travel from England to Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Island or the Channel Isles, you don’t need to test, isolate or fill in a passenger locator form.
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UNITED STATES
Do you need to be fully vaccinated to travel to the US?
No, but that may change. At the moment, everyone over the age of two needs proof of a negative test result obtained within three days of departure, or proof that they’ve recovered from Covid-19 (plus clearance to travel by their healthcare provider). Every traveller also needs to sign an “attestation”, which is basically a disclosure form that confirms they’re telling the truth about their negative Covid test. Parents or guardians of anyone 17 years and under should sign this on a young traveller’s behalf. Airlines are required by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to collect the form from passengers. The US is easing restrictions from November, accepting fully vaccinated travellers from 33 countries previously barred from entry, including numerous European nations plus Britain, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.
What vaccines are recognised by US health authorities?
This is still being worked through. At present only Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are recognised by the CDC. AstraZeneca is seeking emergency approval for use from the US Food and Drug Administration.
What about after touchdown in the US?
Vaccinated travellers do not have to quarantine but it is recommended they undergo a Covid test three to five days after arrival. Unvaccinated overseas travellers are also advised, but not required, to be tested three to five days after their arrival and self-isolate for seven days.
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SINGAPORE
How is Covid-safe travel working in Singapore?
The Lion City has established strictly controlled Safe Travel Lanes whereby people can travel to Singapore without having to go into quarantine. At the moment only fully vaccinated travellers from Germany and Brunei can enter via the Vaccinated Travel Lane. Australia will be a strong candidate for a VTL once vaccination rates hit 80 per cent and international border restrictions lift in November. From October 19, Singapore will open VTLs with Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Britain and the US.
How does the VTL work?
First of all, if you’re travelling in a nominated VTL you must have spent at least 21 days in the country of your departure before leaving for Singapore. You’ll need proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test, taken within three days of your arrival. You must have registered and paid for a test ($S160) to be taken on arrival at Changi Airport, and then self-isolate at a home, hotel or serviced apartment until receiving the result (usually 24 hours). You can only travel to your accommodation by taxi, private car or hire car, not public transport. Additional tests are required at designated clinics on Day 3 and Day 7, without isolating. Failure to take a test could result in a fine of $S10,000.
So, can I travel to Singapore from Australia?
Not at the moment unless you’re a returning Singapore citizen, permanent resident, long-term pass holder, or are the immediate relative of a citizen or permanent resident.
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NEW ZEALAND
What’s happened to the trans-Tasman bubble?
Quarantine-free travel to NZ began on April 18 but the Delta variant brought the initiative to an abrupt halt at the end of July. The bubble has been “paused” for months and the hiatus was recently extended to November 19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated travel will not resume at the flick of a switch, and the restart will be dependent on vaccination rates, which are less than 50 per cent in NZ.
What does that mean?
Quarantine-free travel between the two countries may not be possible until early next year.
Will I need to be vaccinated?
Yes. The country is tightening restrictions on inbound travellers from November 1, requiring them to be fully vaxxed at least 14 days before arrival. Air New Zealand is introducing a “no jab, no fly” policy for passengers on all international flights from February 1. Travellers will have to show their vaccination certificate and proof of a negative Covid test before boarding.
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WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW
* Covid tests for travellers are not covered by Medicare. Private pathology labs will do them, either as a PCR (swab) test or a combination of PCR and blood test. Expect to pay from about $140 to more than $200.
* Holidaymakers are being urged to take out travel insurance that covers them for Covid-related illness and travel disruptions. Several insurers offer Covid benefits, including the cost of quarantine, but none will insure for the disruption caused by the closure of domestic or international borders.
* Consequences vary if travellers test positive to Covid after arriving, depending on their destination. In Singapore, for instance, you’ll be sent to a medical facility for treatment and monitoring at your expense. In Britain, you have to quarantine for 10 days where you’re staying.
The rules and regulations surrounding overseas travel are in a state of flux. The Australian will endeavour to keep the information in this article up to date.
