Coronavirus and Travel

Here you can read articles about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the impact it's having on travel.

QantasLink 717 business class

Qantas Extends Flexible Domestic Classic Rewards

Qantas Frequent Flyer has extended its offer of fee-free changes and cancellations on domestic Classic Flight Reward bookings for another two months. Qantas had previously ended its Fly Flexible policy for domestic bookings on 30 April 2022, after waiving change and cancellation fees since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Until then, Qantas customers could change … Continued

Virgin 737 and Qantas A330 at Melbourne Airport

Qantas & Virgin End Fee-Free Changes, Credits

Qantas and Virgin Australia will both stop offering additional flexibility to customers with domestic flight bookings at the end of this week, winding back the “Fly Flexible” and “Flexible Flying” policies that the respective airlines introduced at the beginning of the pandemic. Currently, both Qantas and Virgin Australia are allowing fee-free flight changes for any … Continued

Sydney harbour cruise liner

Australia Ends Most Remaining Travel Restrictions

The days of travel bans and restrictions in Australia are largely over, with the government officially ending the Biosecurity Emergency Period yesterday. The Australian government initially invoked this emergency period on 15 March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic was in its infancy. The federal government then continuously extended this period for a total of 25 … Continued

Pile of australian passports

Australian Passport Processing Times Blow Out

Australian passport application and renewal processing times have increased dramatically in recent weeks as more Aussies prepare to travel overseas again. In the months before Australia removed its international travel ban in late 2021, many people reported that their passport applications were processed in just a few days. But demand has since picked up considerably, … Continued

Melbourne Airport international arrivals at T2

Australia to End Pre-Flight COVID Testing

People arriving in Australia will no longer be required to get a pre-departure COVID-19 test, effective from 17 April 2022. This is the date that the federal government’s current Biosecurity Emergency Determination period will lapse. Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed yesterday that, “following medical advice”, the government will not renew this when it expires next month. … Continued

Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 in March 2022

Singapore Ends Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL)

Singapore will scrap its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, with quarantine-free travel to Singapore available to anyone who is vaccinated from 1 April 2022. There will still be some basic entry requirements to travel to Singapore under the new “Vaccinated Travel Framework” (VTF), which will replace the VTL scheme from next month. But arriving passengers … Continued

Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

New Zealand Reopens to Australians on 13 April 2022

Australians will finally be allowed to travel quarantine-free to New Zealand once again on 13 April 2022, with the New Zealand government yesterday announcing the much-anticipated reopening of the country’s border. From 11.59pm on 12 April, Australians will be allowed to enter New Zealand without needing to quarantine. Travellers will just need to be fully … Continued

Swan in the river and Perth city on background, Australia

WA to Reopen Border on 3 March 2022

Western Australia will reopen its border on 3 March 2022, Premier Mark McGowan has announced. From this date, Australians will be allowed to enter WA from interstate if they are triple vaccinated (if eligible), have a registered G2G Pass and take a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival. Passengers will also be allowed … Continued

Singapore

Singapore Removes COVID Testing for Transit Passengers

Passengers travelling via Singapore in international transit will no longer need a pre-flight COVID-19 test from 22 February 2022. Singapore has also relaxed its requirements for passengers entering the country quarantine-free on a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight. Changes to Singapore transit rules Currently, anyone flying through Singapore in international transit is required to get … Continued