Although the country is opening up again there are still restrictions in place that we need to take into account while planning our Australian adventures - useful information below........
AUSTRALIA: Government considering limiting numbers of returning citizens and residents
The prime minister said yesterday, 8 July, that the government could restrict the number of people returning to the country, following the news of strict lock-down measures being re-imposed in the state of Victoria. The prime minister said he wants to reduce the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners exempt from Australia’s travel ban that are landing at Australian airports, in order to ease the strain on hotel quarantine.
State of Western Australia imposes cap on international arrivals
The state of Western Australia (WA) has capped the number of international arrivals to 525 per week, effective immediately, in order to ease pressure on government-provided quarantine. The state's government is also drafting urgent legislation which, if passed, would add it to the growing list of Australian states requiring arrivals to cover the cost of their mandatory 14-day stays. International passengers due to arrive in Perth, or transit the city's international airport as a first port of call en-route to other Australian destinations, should monitor their flight status closely..International arrivals in Western Australia are being capped at 525 people per week to limit strain on the state's COVID-19 hotel quarantining system.Health Minister Roger Cook said on Tuesday the federal government had responded favourably to the request overnight, as two international flights from Singapore and Doha were set to bring in 245 arrivals.The announcement comes as international arrivals in Sydney have been capped at 450 a day while all international flights are being diverted from virus-hit Victoria and as travellers appear to be diverting from Queensland, where the state government is charging for accommodation.
Melbourne and neighbouring area return to 'Stay at Home' restrictions
The government of the Australian state of Victoria have announced that in line with advice from their chief health officer, the areas of both metropolitan Melbourne and nearby Mitchell Shire will return to stage three of 'Stay at Home' restrictions from 23.59 (local time) on 8 July. The measures have been re-introduced due to what the government calls a 'significant increase' in COVID-19 transmission in these areas. Under stage three there are a limited list of essential purposes for which residents are permitted to leave home, including to shop for essential supplies or to exercise.
Sydney Airport places strict cap on international arrivals from 4 July 2020
Sydney Airport has introduced a cap on international arrivals effective from tomorrow, 4 July 2020, when arrivals will be limited to 50 people per incoming flight and a total of 450 arrivals per day. The decision follows an increase in diverted flights to Sydney from Melbourne Airport, where incoming international flights have been suspended until 15 July - this has caused a strain on government quarantine facilities in Sydney. The cap is due to stay in place until at least 15 July when Melbourne Airport is due to resume receiving international flights.
Queensland state border to re-open from 10 July 2020
The Premier of Australia's state of Queensland has announced that the state will re-open its borders to residents of all of Australia’s states and territories, with the exception of Victoria. This is provided that travellers complete a border declaration stating they have not been to local government areas in Victoria in the previous 14 days
