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 to a close and Hamilton believes Western Australians will "regret opening up". While anecdotal evidence to date is comforting – showing rising Omicron infections in South Africa are not showing an equivalent rise in hospital admissions — Professor Fiona Russell from the University of Melbourne points out that understanding how severe Omicron will be in different age groups and greater understanding of vaccine effectiveness is "critical" to charting the path forward. "There's a different arm of the immune system called T cells and even if your antibody levels go down to zero, it doesn't, doesn't mean you're not protected," says Professor Russell from University of Melbourne.

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History of this topic

New Zealand fully reopens borders, marking end of COVID controls
2 years, 7 months ago

New Zealand fully reopens borders, marking end of COVID controls

Al Jazeera  

New Zealand has fully reopened to international visitors, lifting the last remnants of one of the toughest border regimes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe,” New Zealand Prime …

Will COVID-19 matter in Federal Election 2022?
2 years, 10 months ago

Will COVID-19 matter in Federal Election 2022?

ABC  

As the nation gets ready to cast its vote in the federal election, the number one issue that has affected Australians over the last term of government is no longer front of mind for many of us. “I really need the government to have some incentive to fast forward international people coming here on some sort of visa, and cutting …

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 …

WA's hard border is finally down, but Omicron's emergence means it's far from back to normal
3 years ago

WA's hard border is finally down, but Omicron's emergence means it's far from back to normal

ABC  

Two years later, Australia is finally whole again. WA border opening won't signal return to normal Yet even many of those West Australians waking up this morning with a sense of excitement or comfort will know the removal of the hard border will not put everything back to how it was. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese was expected to be amongst …

WA border open after two years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, bringing tears of joy in Perth
3 years ago

WA border open after two years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, bringing tears of joy in Perth

ABC  

Western Australia is open after the state's hard border was removed overnight. Key points: Quarantine-free travel into WA has resumed with the hard border lifted Quarantine-free travel into WA has resumed with the hard border lifted There have been tearful reunions at Perth Airport as the first flights landed There have been tearful reunions at Perth Airport as the first …

SA residents prepare to enter WA as COVID border restrictions lift
3 years 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 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 …

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 …

Beyond today's happy reunions, opinion remains divided on WA's border stance
3 years, 1 month ago

Beyond today's happy reunions, opinion remains divided on WA's border stance

ABC  

Today was meant to be one of WA's most significant milestones during the pandemic. Key points: WA's border restrictions will ease from today WA's border restrictions will ease from today Many businesses remain unhappy with the rules, and lack of a new date Many businesses remain unhappy with the rules, and lack of a new date People with disability are …

After the peak: What's in store for Australia now that the Omicron wave has turned?
3 years, 1 month ago

After the peak: What's in store for Australia now that the Omicron wave has turned?

ABC  

The end of 2021 was meant to herald the arrival of Australia's "hot vaxxed summer". "In the first week, we're going to have screening in place for children that we've never had," Professor Bennett says. What this will look like is hard to say before the impacts of the next few weeks are felt, but Professor Bennett suggests it'll be …

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, …

Mark McGowan announces delay to WA border opening amid fears Omicron will 'cripple' state
3 years, 2 months ago

Mark McGowan announces delay to WA border opening amid fears Omicron will 'cripple' state

ABC  

The planned reopening of Western Australia's border to the rest of the world on February 5 will be delayed indefinitely, Premier Mark McGowan has announced. Key points: WA's reopening to the rest of the country has been delayed indefinitely WA's reopening to the rest of the country has been delayed indefinitely Relaxed travel exemptions will take effect on February 5 …

A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date
3 years, 2 months ago

A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date

ABC  

Two West Australian epidemiologists are calling for the state's border opening to be delayed to avoid a potential health "catastrophe" but, in a clear divide, key sectors of the economy warn any delay would be disastrous for jobs and businesses. Key points: The emergence of Omicron has split opinion over Western Australia's February 5 reopening There is concern about the …

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 …

More border rules ease in Australia ahead of Christmas holidays
3 years, 3 months ago

More border rules ease in Australia ahead of Christmas holidays

CNN  

The Australian state of Queensland opened its borders to all vaccinated domestic travelers on Monday for the first time in nearly five months, as Australians gear up for quarantine-free holiday travel – even as clusters of the Omicron variant grow. Queensland, the country’s third most populous state, shut its border to New South Wales in July, then later to the …

As Queensland's border reopens to COVID-19 hotspots, and it's mixed emotions for locals
3 years, 3 months ago

As Queensland's border reopens to COVID-19 hotspots, and it's mixed emotions for locals

ABC  

Queenslanders were feeling a mixture of emotions ahead of the state's borders reopening. 'We have to be careful' — Lopeta Theilao "It's good to open but we have to be careful of the outcome," said Lopeta Theilao, from the Brisbane suburb of Carseldine. "I'm glad that families get to see each other again … but I think it's too early, …

What will the opening of Queensland's COVID-19 borders mean for the state's least-vaccinated regions?
3 years, 3 months ago

What will the opening of Queensland's COVID-19 borders mean for the state's least-vaccinated regions?

ABC  

With a week until the Queensland border reopens, authorities have warned that the virus will come and "hunt down" the unvaccinated. Key points: Regional outbreaks would put further strain on local health services Even those who are vaccinated could be more at risk in those areas as the virus spreads The virus is likely to hit larger cities and tourist …

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 …

WHO issues a brutal warning to Australia
3 years, 3 months ago

WHO issues a brutal warning to Australia

Daily Mail  

Developed nations such as Australia have been warned slamming borders shut to countries reporting new COVID-19 variants could backfire. The Omicron COVID-19 variant has arrived in Australia after testing confirmed two overseas travellers who arrived in Sydney were infected with the new strain 'More time was needed to make sure that we had all the relevant information in relation to …

Australia delays relaxing border, 5th omicron case reported
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia delays relaxing border, 5th omicron case reported

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australian authorities announced on Monday that they would delay plans to relax border restrictions by at least two weeks, as the country reported its fifth case of the omicron COVID-19 variant. New South Wales state authorities reported on Sunday that two travelers from South Africa to Sydney had become Australia’s first cases of the new variant. On …

Federal government pauses international arrivals for students and visa holders as it awaits information on Omicron COVID
3 years, 3 months ago

Federal government pauses international arrivals for students and visa holders as it awaits information on Omicron COVID

ABC  

The federal government has deferred Wednesday’s planned easing of border restrictions for international students and other eligible visa holders until December 15. Key points: The federal government says the pause is to allow time to get information on the new Omicron variant Australia has confirmed five cases of the variant The borders remain open to Australian nationals The government says …

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

Western Australia tightens border with South Australia after new COVID cases amid Omicron fears
3 years, 3 months ago

Western Australia tightens border with South Australia after new COVID cases amid Omicron fears

ABC  

Western Australia will force all arrivals from South Australia to isolate for 14 days under tightened border rules. Key points: WA Premier Mark McGowan says his state must act with an "abundance of caution" due to fears about the Omicron variant The "low-risk" designation means arrivals from South Australia must be tested and self-isolate Existing approvals for people due to …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Australia is reopening to the world, but domestic border rules are still keeping families apart
3 years, 4 months ago

Australia is reopening to the world, but domestic border rules are still keeping families apart

ABC  

Being across the country from your partner for any length of time with two young kids at home is tricky for any couple, but for Melbourne resident Kris*, it was simply part of life. A country cut in half As Australia's borders open today after almost 600 days, Western Australia's strict border rules have left many questioning why Australians will …

Australians allowed home after COVID-19 border closures as international travel resumes to Sydney and Melbourne
3 years, 4 months ago

Australians allowed home after COVID-19 border closures as international travel resumes to Sydney and Melbourne

ABC  

Sydney Airport will once again be the scene of heart-warming reunions and joyous departures, as New South Wales and Victoria fling open their international borders. Key points: From tomorrow, double-vaccinated Australians can go overseas and quarantine is scrapped for incoming travellers Some travellers are concerned the rules and regulations may change again Only Australian citizens, residents and their families are …

WA may enforce hard border with all states and territories that ease restrictions for Christmas
3 years, 4 months ago

WA may enforce hard border with all states and territories that ease restrictions for Christmas

ABC  

The WA Premier says Western Australia may close its border to jurisdictions that are planning to ease border restrictions in time for Christmas. Key points: Mark McGowan is worried about community spread in states with open borders Mark McGowan is worried about community spread in states with open borders WA will not open up until the vaccination rate is at …

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 …

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 …

The desperate families left out of Australia's international border reopening plan
3 years, 5 months ago

The desperate families left out of Australia's international border reopening plan

ABC  

Sydney FC academy coach Mizuki Ito hasn't seen his wife of almost two years since the morning after their wedding. Last week the Federal Government announced plans to start reopening Australia's international borders from next month, a much-anticipated announcement that will allow Australian residents to travel freely overseas again. "Everyone's like, 'Oh don't worry, we're almost out of the woods', …

Australia to reopen international border in November
3 years, 5 months ago

Australia to reopen international border in November

India TV News  

Australia's international border will reopen in November after being closed for 18 months amid the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday. According to Morrison, international travel to and from Australia will resume as states and territories approach 80 perc ent of the adult population fully vaccinated against Covid-19, reports Xinhua news agency. "To maximize the number of …

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens
3 years, 5 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 …

International travel is set to resume but things won't be the same as before — here's what we know about home quarantine and more
3 years, 5 months ago

International travel is set to resume but things won't be the same as before — here's what we know about home quarantine and more

ABC  

Australia's border has been almost entirely sealed for 18 months, but today it became clearer the end is in sight and changes are afoot for international travel next month. For vaccinated people, a fortnight of hotel quarantine will be out and a shorter stretch of home quarantine will be in, while Australia's getting ready to welcome international guests by recognising …

When borders reopen after COVID, where will Australians be able to travel?
3 years, 5 months ago

When borders reopen after COVID, where will Australians be able to travel?

ABC  

It's been more than a year and a half since Australia's international borders were slammed shut, so it's no surprise that many of us are itching to get overseas for a holiday or to see loved ones. While the federal government has said they hope to allow international travel by Christmas "at the latest", no date has been set despite …

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 …

Australia's state premiers are given a deadline for when they MUST open up borders
3 years, 6 months ago

Australia's state premiers are given a deadline for when they MUST open up borders

Daily Mail  

The Scott Morrison government has given an extraordinary ultimatum to rogue premiers telling them they 'must reopen' state borders by Christmas when vaccination rates hit 80 per cent. The Scott Morrison government has given an extraordinary ultimatum to rouge premiers telling them they must reopen state borders by Christmas when vaccination rates reach 80 per cent Australian Defence Force personnel …

COVID border might stay in WA 'a few months' beyond rest of country until 'overwhelming majority' vaccinated, Premier says
3 years, 6 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 …

Here's everything we know about Australia's four-phase plan out of the COVID pandemic
3 years, 7 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 …

Australia further curbs new arrivals due to risks of variant
3 years, 8 months ago

Australia further curbs new arrivals due to risks of variant

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia plans to halve commercial passenger arrivals due to virus risks as parts of the country emerged from lockdowns Friday. Australia will reduce its cap on arrivals from 6,000 passengers a week to 3,000 by July 14 to reduce pressure on hotel quarantine, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after a meeting with state and territory leaders. “If …

SA closes borders to Queensland, WA, the NT and the ACT in addition to NSW after 'deterioration' in COVID situation
3 years, 8 months ago

SA closes borders to Queensland, WA, the NT and the ACT in addition to NSW after 'deterioration' in COVID situation

ABC  

South Australia has closed its borders to Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT because of a "very significant deterioration" in the COVID–19 situation across Australia, the state's Premier says. Key points: Tough border restrictions will be in place for people coming to SA Only visitors from Tasmania will be allowed to come in without testing or quarantine …

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