The federal government could allow some Australians vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel overseas within 6-8 weeks under a pilot program, health minister Greg Hunt reportedly told parliamentary colleagues on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, fully vaccinated Australians could soon be permitted to leave the country without having to apply for a travel restriction exemption. People … Continued
On 25 March 2020, the Australian government banned its citizens and permanent residents from leaving the country without a travel exemption as an emergency coronavirus measure. Fourteen months later, the temporary ban is still in force (with the exception of travel to New Zealand) and there are no signs of it being repealed anytime soon. … Continued
Australia’s international borders will not reopen to most countries until at least mid-2022, the federal government has predicted in this week’s budget. “Inbound and outbound international travel is expected to remain low through to mid 2022, after which a gradual recovery in international tourism is assumed to occur,” according to budget documents. The truth is … Continued
Kia ora, New Zealand! After more than a year of international border closures, Australians and New Zealanders will soon finally be able to travel freely between the two countries with the announcement of a two-way trans-Tasman bubble. From 11.59pm (NZ time) on Sunday, 18 April 2021, New Zealand will remove entry restrictions and quarantine requirements … Continued
Half-price flights as part of the federal government’s $1.2 billion tourism support package went on sale at midnight, with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Rex offering tickets from as low as $32 one-way. So far, the flights are selling quickly! Demand for the cheap flights to regional destinations has been so high that some airline … Continued
From 1 April 2021, the federal government will subsidise 800,000 half-price domestic flights to encourage Australians to holiday interstate while international tourism remains non-existent. We don’t yet know exactly how these half-price flights will work, but we do know they’ll only be available on interstate routes. On one hand, it’s great that the federal government … Continued
One of the (very few) pleasant aspects of flying during the past 12 months has been the lack of crowds. While the sinking passenger numbers have been terrible for the airlines’ bottom lines, a silver lining for passengers has been shorter queues at security, lots of empty middle seats and no fights over overhead locker … Continued
For the first time in almost one year, there are no longer restrictions on interstate travel between any Australian states & territories as of this morning. This has not happened since Tasmania became the first state to close to all non-essential interstate travellers on 20 March 2020 – almost exactly a year ago. On that … Continued
The Australian government will subsidise half-price flights to 13 holiday destinations across Australia including Gold Coast, Cairns, Alice Springs and Launceston from April until July 2021. It’s part of a $1.2 billion Tourism and Aviation Recovery Package announced today. The 50% discount on domestic flights will be available on up to 800,000 tickets to and … Continued
Since 22 January 2021, anyone flying to Australia from overseas is required to get a COVID-19 PCR test no more than 72 hours before their first flight’s departure (and produce a certificate showing a negative result). This is in addition to the 14 days of hotel quarantine on arrival in Australia. “These [new measures] will … Continued
The Australian government has extended the outbound travel ban for a further three months. It means Australian citizens and permanent residents will continue to need a travel restriction exemption to leave the country until at least 17 June 2021 – three months later than previously announced – although it is likely that the travel ban … Continued
Yesterday marked an historic day for our country, with the first COVID-19 vaccine administered in Australia. From here, it will still take some months before COVID-19 vaccines are made available to every Australian who wants one. But, hopefully, this marks the beginning of a huge step towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the … Continued
