How effective are border closures at stopping COVID-19? This is what scientists think
4 years, 8 months ago

How effective are border closures at stopping COVID-19? This is what scientists think

ABC  

Yesterday, Melburnians and residents of the Mitchell Shire began a six-week lockdown, and domestic borders across the country are rapidly closing to Victorian visitors. "We won't actually be able to tell whether these border closures work for another two weeks at least," Professor Esterman says. "We all know they have very significant economic and societal consequences," Professor Mueller says, so it's about getting the balance right between these and the public health benefits. One idea that Professor Esterman has put forward, half in jest, is that we temporarily redraw Victoria's borders so that western border towns become part of South Australia, and towns like Wodonga become part of New South Wales. "As we have seen in Victoria as soon as we have 100-plus cases … then our tracking and tracing capacity is overwhelmed," Professor Mueller says.

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History of this topic

South Australia to drop COVID-19 close contact rules from next week
2 years, 11 months ago

South Australia to drop COVID-19 close contact rules from next week

ABC  

South Australia will scrap close contact quarantine rules from the end of next week. Key points: SA will scrap close contact rules from next week People will need to notify employers if they are a close-contact, conduct multiple at-home tests and stay away from high-risk settings The state's health chief recommended delaying changes for a week The move brings the …

Victoria could be hitting the peak of its latest COVID-19 wave. So what comes next?
2 years, 11 months ago

Victoria could be hitting the peak of its latest COVID-19 wave. So what comes next?

ABC  

Over the past few days, a barely perceptible trend has emerged in Victoria's daily tally of COVID-19 infections. "Hopefully we only ever replace one case with less than one now and we'll keep that reproductive number below one and see the numbers come down," Professor Bennett says. Professor Blakely says that's because while vaccines stop people getting seriously ill, "they …

SA residents prepare to enter WA as COVID border restrictions lift
3 years, 1 month ago

SA residents prepare to enter WA as COVID border restrictions lift

ABC  

The West Australian border has reopened after almost two years, prompting a wave of relief as an estimated 100 travellers from South Australia waited to cross over after midnight. Key points: Quarantine-free travel into WA has resumed with the hard border lifted SA motorists waited at the border to travel through early this morning Bordering businesses are welcoming the lift …

Tearful reunions as Western Australia ends COVID border closure
3 years, 1 month ago

Tearful reunions as Western Australia ends COVID border closure

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s largest state has reopened to fully vaccinated domestic and international travellers, ending one of the world’s longest coronavirus border closures. The airport in Perth, Western Australia’s capital, was the scene of emotional reunions as the first of 22 scheduled domestic flights and five international flights began arriving on Thursday. “We expect about 5,000 domestic and international travellers to arrive …

Australia reopens borders to tourists after two-year ‘fortress’ level travel ban
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia reopens borders to tourists after two-year ‘fortress’ level travel ban

Live Mint  

Amid decline in Covid-19 cases as the third wave of coronavirus pandemic recedes, Australia reopened its borders to vaccinated tourists on Monday. The country earned the nickname “Fortress Australia” following announcing its decision on travel ban, which not only imposed a strict cap on international arrivals but also barred citizens from going overseas. Known for its strict regulations, Australia had …

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists

India Today  

Australia on Monday fully reopened its international borders to travellers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of being shut in the pandemic as tourists returned and hundreds of people were reunited with family and friends. "It is a party out here, music playing, smiles on people's faces, they will be dancing soon, I'm sure," Tourism Minister Dan Tehan …

Australia's last international COVID travel restrictions are lifting. But their legacy for those caught up in them remains
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia's last international COVID travel restrictions are lifting. But their legacy for those caught up in them remains

ABC  

For the first time in almost two years — 704 days — Australia’s borders will reopen to all fully-vaccinated travellers tomorrow. But as Australia's "hermit kingdom" chapter closes, the pain of the past two years is still very fresh. "It's been two years now and they haven't even processed it," she says. "Our daughter didn't want to go to her …

Vaccine protection better maintained against severe COVID-19: Lancet study
3 years, 1 month ago

Vaccine protection better maintained against severe COVID-19: Lancet study

Deccan Chronicle  

London: The vaccine-induced protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection wanes within a few months, but protection against severe COVID-19 appears to be better maintained, according to a study published in The Lancet journal. "The bad news is that the protection against infection seems to be diminished by seven months after the second dose of vaccine," said Peter Nordstrom, a professor at Umea …

Australia to FINALLY reopen to tourists on February 21, says Scott Morrison
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia to FINALLY reopen to tourists on February 21, says Scott Morrison

Daily Mail  

Australia's borders will finally open to international tourists on February 21 after almost two years of closure to keep out Covid-19. Pictured: A traveller at Sydney Airport Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was sent home after he entered Australia without being fully vaccinated, meaning he could not play in the Australian Open Mr Morrison said the decision was taken because …

Australia to open borders to vaccinated tourists on February 21
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia to open borders to vaccinated tourists on February 21

Al Jazeera  

Australia to welcome international travellers back nearly two years after closing its borders. Australia will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced, ending some of the world’s strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions. “It’s almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia,” Morrison said during …

WA announces 25 new local COVID-19 cases as border eases, but many families remain separated
3 years, 1 month ago

WA announces 25 new local COVID-19 cases as border eases, but many families remain separated

ABC  

Western Australia has announced 25 new local cases of COVID-19 on the day the state planned to remove its hard border. The figure accounts for about 60 per cent of the total number of applications for travellers hoping to cross through WA's new hard border, with the remaining applications rejected or still pending. "These people are among the 30 per …

COVID-19 confusion takes over as WA changes course on multiple fronts behind hard border
3 years, 2 months ago

COVID-19 confusion takes over as WA changes course on multiple fronts behind hard border

ABC  

Western Australia has had two years to prepare for this. And a previous desire to immediately do anything possible to "crush and kill" the virus has been replaced by a reluctance to bring in harsher restrictions, with major events allowed to proceed even as COVID-19 significantly spreads in WA for the first time in two years. Few details of the …

WA's COVID-19 border will stay shut indefinitely. What now, and when might the state reopen?
3 years, 2 months ago

WA's COVID-19 border will stay shut indefinitely. What now, and when might the state reopen?

ABC  

Two years into the pandemic, Western Australia once again has been left indefinitely closed off to the rest of the world. Late last year, WA Premier Mark McGowan announced a February 5 reopening to interstate and international travellers, describing that date at the time as "locked in". But in an extraordinary evening press conference barely two weeks from that date, …

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet
3 years, 2 months ago

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet

ABC  

Travellers hoping to lock in plans to head to Western Australia when the state's borders reopen on February 5 are being blocked by the government's approval system. Key points: The G2G approval system is set to continue when borders reopen The G2G approval system is set to continue when borders reopen However, travellers applying to enter Western Australia after the …

As Omicron surges and COVID records fall, will we have to close borders again and increase restrictions?
3 years, 3 months ago

As Omicron surges and COVID records fall, will we have to close borders again and increase restrictions?

ABC  

Australia is on the brink of an identity crisis as our highly vaccinated, low-COVID nation faces its most significant confrontation yet with SARS-CoV-2. For Deakin University's chair of epidemiology, Professor Catherine Bennett, the wisdom of open borders has a straightforward answer: "If not now, when?" The decision to open borders in February all but guarantees months without COVID are drawing …

Epidemiologist warns WA border reopening should be delayed as Mark McGowan reveals date
3 years, 3 months ago

Epidemiologist warns WA border reopening should be delayed as Mark McGowan reveals date

ABC  

A West Australian epidemiologist has warned the state's Premier Mark McGowan to reconsider opening the state's border early next year as the Omicron COVID-19 variant continues to spark concern. Key points: Dr Zoe Hyde says it would be unwise to reopen WA early next year She says more data on Omicron is needed Dr Hyde believes hospitalisations and deaths are …

Queensland reopening and NSW COVID-19 border bubble rules explained
3 years, 3 months ago

Queensland reopening and NSW COVID-19 border bubble rules explained

ABC  

Queensland is bringing forward its much-awaited reopening, dropping border restrictions for all interstate travellers from December 13 — four days earlier than predicted — and opening up movement in the NSW border zone for residents. Freedom of movement in border zone Fully vaccinated border residents will be able to move freely across the border, though they will need a border …

SA borders to stay open despite Premier being 'extraordinarily concerned' about COVID-19 Omicron variant
3 years, 3 months ago

SA borders to stay open despite Premier being 'extraordinarily concerned' about COVID-19 Omicron variant

ABC  

South Australia's borders will remain open but all travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT will be required to have a test on arrival and isolate until a result is received. Key points: South Australia's borders will remain open to all states Travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT will have to get tested and isolate on arrival Exposure sites …

South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we learned?
3 years, 4 months ago

South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we learned?

ABC  

South Australia this week went where no other state — possibly no other jurisdiction — has gone before. Key points: SA opened its borders to NSW, ACT and Victoria last Tuesday As of Saturday, 10 positive cases had been recorded in interstate travellers Close contacts of positive cases still need to quarantine After enjoying months without a single case of …

NSW, Victoria and ACT tighten international arrival rules as states and territories respond to Omicron variant
3 years, 4 months ago

NSW, Victoria and ACT tighten international arrival rules as states and territories respond to Omicron variant

ABC  

Australian states and territories are reimposing border rules in response to the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has now been detected in a growing number of countries across the world. Key points: International arrivals into Victoria and NSW will now be required to self-isolate for at least 72 hours, regardless of vaccination status Those from nine African countries where …

What happens if you get COVID-19 in Tasmania when the borders open?
3 years, 4 months ago

What happens if you get COVID-19 in Tasmania when the borders open?

ABC  

In less than three weeks, Tasmania will reopen to the rest of Australia. The Premier says people who are unvaccinated and are a close contact of a positive case will have to quarantine for two weeks. Anyone living in the same household is considered a close contact and also have to quarantine but the number of days will depend on …

SA on track to open next week, despite several areas with low vaccination rates
3 years, 4 months ago

SA on track to open next week, despite several areas with low vaccination rates

ABC  

South Australia is on track to open its borders from next week, despite low vaccination rates in several communities, the state's health chief says. Key points: Regional communities and areas north of Adelaide are lagging in vaccinations South Australia's Chief Public Health officer says she is worried about those areas ahead of the state border reopening She says authorities will …

COVID border closing in on West Australians with family interstate, overseas
3 years, 4 months ago

COVID border closing in on West Australians with family interstate, overseas

ABC  

All Jan Flynn wants for Christmas is to give her mum and dad a hug. Key points: WA is set to reopen when its double-vaccination rate hits 90 per cent WA is set to reopen when its double-vaccination rate hits 90 per cent That's unlikely to happen before early 2022 That's unlikely to happen before early 2022 For many West …

South Australian authorities announce further details for border reopening on November 23
3 years, 4 months ago

South Australian authorities announce further details for border reopening on November 23

ABC  

Fully vaccinated South Australians will only have to quarantine for seven days if they are deemed a close contact of a COVID-19 case, under new rules when borders reopen on November 23. Key points: South Australia will open its borders on November 23 Authorities today revealed further details about plans to trace, test and isolate COVID-19 cases after that date …

Have COVID-19 border closure policies affected your life in Australia? We'd like to hear from you
3 years, 4 months ago

Have COVID-19 border closure policies affected your life in Australia? We'd like to hear from you

ABC  

Were you stranded overseas after the federal government closed Australia's borders? Or perhaps as a new Australian, you found yourself stranded from family back home here within the nation's borders? Many families have been stranded from one another since the pandemic began Photo shows A young Korean male and female smiling on a train. But he's never been able to …

Queensland COVID-19 border reopening details revealed after vaccine threshold hit as state records zero new local cases
3 years, 4 months ago

Queensland COVID-19 border reopening details revealed after vaccine threshold hit as state records zero new local cases

ABC  

The Queensland government has brought forward the opening of the state's border to some fully vaccinated travellers from interstate COVID-19 hotspots, with people able to apply for their border passes from 5:00pm on Monday. Key points: There are strict criteria travellers will need to meet before entering More than 40,000 vaccines were administered by Queensland Health over the weekend If …

Queensland is loosening its COVID border restrictions, with 1.6 million unvaccinated in the state
3 years, 4 months ago

Queensland is loosening its COVID border restrictions, with 1.6 million unvaccinated in the state

ABC  

About 1.6 million Queensland residents remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, as the state announces its borders will open to some inoculated travellers flying in from virus hotspots interstate from this afternoon. Key points: The Queensland government is expected to announce today how people can start applying for border passes An infectious disease expert is concerned the virus will spread quickly once …

Covid-19 Australia: Queensland reopens domestic travel with NSW and Victoria
3 years, 4 months ago

Covid-19 Australia: Queensland reopens domestic travel with NSW and Victoria

Daily Mail  

Queensland has reopened its state border to fully-vaccinated NSW and Victoria residents for the first time in months - but with tough quarantine and travel rules. Queensland has reopened its state border to fully-vaccinated NSW and Victoria residents for the first time in months - but with tough quarantine and travel rules The reopening of the border comes with tough …

US reopens its borders to Europe, the global epicenter of Covid-19
3 years, 4 months ago

US reopens its borders to Europe, the global epicenter of Covid-19

CNN  

Paris CNN — The United States has reopened its borders to vaccinated international travelers, ending a 20-month travel ban at the same moment Europe is battling a surge of Covid-19 cases that has pushed the continent back into the epicenter of the pandemic. Families and friends separated since the start of the pandemic streamed into airports across major European cities …

Covid-19 travel: Sydney to further ease curbs on Monday as vaccinations pick up
3 years, 4 months ago

Covid-19 travel: Sydney to further ease curbs on Monday as vaccinations pick up

Hindustan Times  

Australia's largest city of Sydney will further ease social distancing curbs on Monday, a month after emerging from a coronavirus lockdown that lasted nearly 100 days, as close to 90% of people have got both doses of vaccine, officials said. Patrons dine-in at a bar by the harbour in the wake of coronavirus disease regulations easing, following an extended lockdown …

Mark McGowan announces plan for Western Australia to reopen border at 90 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate
3 years, 4 months ago

Mark McGowan announces plan for Western Australia to reopen border at 90 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate

ABC  

Premier Mark McGowan says Western Australia will open up its borders when 90 per cent of the state's population aged above 12 years old is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Key points: WA will reopen its border when the vaccination rate reaches 90 per cent That could be achieved in late January or early February A specific date will be set …

COVID-19 modelling shows 13 deaths over 300 days under 'outbreak' after SA repeals border restrictions
3 years, 5 months ago

COVID-19 modelling shows 13 deaths over 300 days under 'outbreak' after SA repeals border restrictions

ABC  

COVID-19 modelling prepared for the SA government suggests keeping current social restrictions in place will be key to minimising pressure on South Australia's health system, as well as deaths, once state borders reopen. Key points: The modelling predicts a 27 per cent likelihood of an outbreak in the 300 days after border restrictions are repealed Its definition of an outbreak …

SA announces COVID-19 roadmap including repeal of border restrictions on November 23
3 years, 5 months ago

SA announces COVID-19 roadmap including repeal of border restrictions on November 23

ABC  

South Australia will ease its border restrictions for double-vaccinated people from November 23. Key points: Double-vaccinated domestic travellers will be able to head into SA without quarantining International arrivals will have the current quarantine duration halved Further repeals will require 90 per cent of the population, aged 12 and over, to have been fully vaccinated That date will The measures …

WA will not ease COVID-19 hard border with NSW and Victoria prior to Christmas
3 years, 5 months ago

WA will not ease COVID-19 hard border with NSW and Victoria prior to Christmas

ABC  

The WA Premier has again ruled out opening the border to higher risk states in time for Christmas, while announcing travellers from Queensland will no longer need to quarantine from this Friday. Key points: WA will not open to NSW and Victoria in time for Christmas But Queensland will be reclassified as very low risk from Friday It means travellers …

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces COVID-19 roadmap to reopening as state records zero local cases
3 years, 5 months ago

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces COVID-19 roadmap to reopening as state records zero local cases

ABC  

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has outlined a roadmap to reopen the state's borders to COVID-19 hotspots for fully vaccinated people by Christmas. Key points: The Premier says how quickly the milestones are hit depends on vaccination roll-out It's predicted 80 per cent of Queensland's eligible population will be full vaccinated by December 17 Direct international arrivals will be able to …

Sydney to end COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers
3 years, 5 months ago

Sydney to end COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers

Live Mint  

Sydney will end its COVID-19 quarantine for fully vaccinated international travellers from Nov. 1, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Friday, foreshadowing the full return of overseas travel after more than 19 months. The federal government's reopening plans unveiled in July proposed abolishing caps on returning vaccinated Australians and a gradual reopening of international travel with safe countries …

WA's COVID-19 rules likely to fluctuate once state border reopens
3 years, 5 months ago

WA's COVID-19 rules likely to fluctuate once state border reopens

ABC  

WA Premier Mark McGowan has flagged that COVID-19 restrictions will be beefed up and toned down depending on the rate of local transmission once the state's borders reopen. Key points: There is no date as yet when WA's borders will reopen There is no date as yet when WA's borders will reopen But when they do, restrictions may start at …

US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated
3 years, 5 months ago

US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the country moves to require all international visitors to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The new rules, to be announced Wednesday, will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the U.S. regardless of the reason for …

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens
3 years, 6 months ago

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens

CNN  

CNN — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, October 1 announced plans to reopen the country’s borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents, moving from a strict zero-Covid strategy to a model of living with the virus. Morrison also said that with 55% of the country now fully vaccinated and first dose rates approaching 80%, the government “has …

COVID updates: International travel resumes next month as PM announces changes to border restrictions — as it happened
3 years, 6 months ago

COVID updates: International travel resumes next month as PM announces changes to border restrictions — as it happened

ABC  

Mr McGowan is being asked about international borders reopening and when WA will open. He said the state wasn't going to set a date at this point in time, and that it was "really a NSW thing" because they had enough COVID in the community that travelling overseas and returning didn't really add to the risk profile. "WA will open …

SA Premier hits back after Mark McGowan warns of COVID-19 'community spread' if borders reopen
3 years, 6 months ago

SA Premier hits back after Mark McGowan warns of COVID-19 'community spread' if borders reopen

ABC  

As South Australia looks towards reopening to the eastern states at the end of the year, the decision could see its border close in the west. Key points: WA Premier Mark McGowan says SA "may regret" opening its borders if it results in community transmission SA Premier Steven Marshall said the state would begin reopening once vaccination rates reach 80 …

Coronavirus Australia: WA premier Mark McGowan says border could stay closed until April 2022
3 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus Australia: WA premier Mark McGowan says border could stay closed until April 2022

Daily Mail  

Hardline premier Mark McGowan has confirmed Western Australia will likely remain closed off from the rest of the country for up to another seven months. WA Premier Mark McGowan said his state won't open the border until likely April next year - and only if 80-90 per cent of the state are fully-vaccinated Western Australia faces being cut off from …

Tasmania's border might stay closed until COVID vaccination reaches 'closer to 90 per cent'
3 years, 6 months ago

Tasmania's border might stay closed until COVID vaccination reaches 'closer to 90 per cent'

ABC  

Tasmanian authorities have given their clearest indication yet that the state will remain closed off to the rest of Australia longer than the national COVID roadmap had predicted. At a press conference on Friday, the director of Public Health, Mark Veitch, said while he could not give a precise vaccination target yet, the "closer to 90 per cent … the …

Families stranded in COVID-19 border limbo, unable to get to Queensland amid changing rules
3 years, 7 months ago

Families stranded in COVID-19 border limbo, unable to get to Queensland amid changing rules

ABC  

Their toilet was a hole in the ground, their bed a double swag and their lodging a patch of scrubby bush beside a major road in northern NSW. Key points: Sam Ackers and Tony Chhun were holidaying in Victoria when the Queensland border was closed Since then, the couple has been stranded in NSW trying to navigate the ever-changing border …

COVID border might stay in WA 'a few months' beyond rest of country until 'overwhelming majority' vaccinated, Premier says
3 years, 7 months ago

COVID border might stay in WA 'a few months' beyond rest of country until 'overwhelming majority' vaccinated, Premier says

ABC  

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan admits the state is likely to be "a few months" behind the rest of the country in opening its borders, saying it would be "complete madness" to let COVID-19 in. Key points: The Premier wants to wait until an "overwhelming majority" is vaccinated The Premier wants to wait until an "overwhelming majority" is vaccinated WA's …

COVID updates: National Cabinet expected to agree to expand vaccine program to include 12-15-year-olds — as it happened
3 years, 7 months ago

COVID updates: National Cabinet expected to agree to expand vaccine program to include 12-15-year-olds — as it happened

ABC  

What do the experts see as the possible Covid end game in Australia or the world. There’s been a lot of talk in the past few days about what ‘opening up’ looks like, at 70 per cent or 80 per cent vaccination coverage. Open insofar as we hope to not need lockdowns to control outbreaks of COVID-19, but closed in …

Queensland threatens to keep Covid-19 border closures
3 years, 7 months ago

Queensland threatens to keep Covid-19 border closures

Daily Mail  

Queensland has joined Western Australia in threatening to renege on the national plan to live with coronavirus once 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated. Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Sunday said Queensland may keep its border closed to NSW if the southern state has high case numbers, regardless of vaccination rates. Queensland protesters demanded the NSW border open …

Are US border policies behind the spike in COVID-19 infection rates across the country?
3 years, 7 months ago

Are US border policies behind the spike in COVID-19 infection rates across the country?

Firstpost  

The key factors behind the recent spike in COVID-19 cases are people in US communities who are unvaccinated and are not following guidance from CDC guidelines on Delta variant, say public health experts Phoenix: As the Delta variant fuels an increase of COVID-19 cases in the US, some of President Joe Biden’s critics blame the surge on his border policies, …

Lockdowns to end once 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19
3 years, 8 months ago

Lockdowns to end once 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19

ABC  

All but the most highly targeted lockdowns will end and the country will begin to reopen its international borders once 80 per cent of eligible Australians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says. Key points: Federal, state and territory leaders have agreed to COVID-19 vaccination targets to end lockdowns and begin reopening the country Federal, state and …

Here's everything we know about Australia's four-phase plan out of the COVID pandemic
3 years, 8 months ago

Here's everything we know about Australia's four-phase plan out of the COVID pandemic

ABC  

National Cabinet has agreed to new vaccination targets, which will dictate the easing of restrictions and the reopening of the nation's economy. This includes much of what we're already used to, such as: Accelerating vaccine rates, including implementing a national vaccination plan Accelerating vaccine rates, including implementing a national vaccination plan Closing international borders to keep COVID-19 out Closing international …

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