Looking to boost international travel Australian Government changes testing rules for overseas arrivals

The Australian Government has announced an easing of measure for overseas travellers to enter the country, removing the requirement for arrivals to show the results of a negative PCR test.

Instead, as of 1pm on Sunday, they will only need to show a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of boarding their flight to Australia.

Additionally, the 14-day quarantine period for those who test positive for COVID-19 has been reduced to seven days to align with domestic isolation rules.

On the other hand, quarantine requirements upon entrance are still governed by regional and state laws.

Since last Saturday, all fully vaccinated international arrivals in Queensland can enter without quarantine while an antigen test will be necessary within 24 hours of arrival for international travellers.

Travellers who have not been vaccinated will be quarantined for 14 days in a designated facility.

RATs have been acknowledged as a home measure for evaluating COVID, and isolation durations have been shortened to seven days as a result.

Meanwhile, with Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan having backtracked on his commitment to reopen the border on 5th February, Qantas was forced to revaluate its Perth to London route, which was slated to restart in late March.

On Qantas and Jetstar flights alone, more than 21,000 passengers will have to reschedule their Western Australian travel plans.

With the projected 5th February reopening date having previously providing certainty, Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce expressed his “great concern” about the current scenario.

Thousands of domestic flights have been cancelled, accounting for 10% of the airline’s domestic capacity.

Joe Cusmano