Making Australia an even bigger global joke as the prison island, our international travel ban has not unsurprisingly been extended by a further three months, with the “human biosecurity emergency period”, which prohibits Australians from travelling abroad and also bans operation of cruises, was due to end on September 17 but will now continue until December 17.
I can feeel a yawn coming on as Health Minister Greg Hunt made the announcement and yes, not taking any responsibility himself, but saying that the the extension is based on medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer. Pass the buck won’t you Hunt!
He added, “That in particular covers the pre-flight testing and masks for overseas arrivals and the existing restrictions being extended for cruise vessels, outbound travel, and retail outlets at international terminals.”
Australians have been banned from travelling overseas since March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unless they are in possession of a government-issued exemption, but the issue is not getting the exemption, but that you have to leave for three months and then getting back is a nightmare and horrendously expensive!
There may be a glimmer of hope though as vaccinations are going gangbusters and the emergency measures in place under the Biosecurity Act 2015 can be amended or repealed at any time, meaning Australians could be travelling earlier than December 17 if vaccination targets are met….so, cross everything or pray very hard or whatever you do in situations like this and remember the government likes to ride out good news stories and giving us mere plebs an additional benefit and claim all the glory!
So, under the national plan to move the country on from the pandemic, inbound and outbound travel restrictions for vaccinated Australians are set to be lifted when 80% of over 16’s receive their two doses, so for goodness sakes GET VACCINATED and take whichever one you can get, with the best vaccine is the one in your arm!!
A report and opinion by John Alwyn-Jones, Special Correspondent Travel and Tourism Global Travel Media.
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