Highlights
- Australia extends ban on outbound international travel till 17 December
- Australian citizens and permanent residents are not permitted to leave the country without travel exemption
- Government urges Australian states to "open up as one"
The federal government announced on 2 September that limits on outbound international travel and cruise ship arrivals are set to remain for an additional three months, under an extension to the biosecurity emergency period.
The emergency period, which has been in place since 18 March 2020, was due to expire on 17 September but will now continue till 17 December.
Outward travel ban extended for a further three months:
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said that the extension was declared by Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley on 2 September.
"The extension, declared by the Governor-General today, was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer," Mr Hunt's said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Announcing the decision, Mr Hunt said the biosecurity period has been extended in response to the COVID-19 situation across the globe which continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public health.
Health Minister Greg Hunt. Source: AAP
The statement added that the declaration ensures the government has the powers to take any necessary measures to prevent and control COVID-19, including:
- mandatory pre-departure testing and mask-wearing for international flights
- restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory
- restrictions on outbound international travel for Australians
- restrictions on the trade of retail outlets at international airports
How will this impact outbound international travel?
Australian citizens and permanent residents are banned from leaving the country unless they have an outbound exemption approved by the Australian Border Force, a sticking point for many Indian-Australian families who are desperate to reunite with their loved ones and, in some cases, want to make it home in time to see their ailing parents, or in worse case scenarios, perform their last rites.
'Is it realistic to keep the borders shut for this long?'
For Melbourne-based Surajit Lahiri, the wait is getting longer. The 48-year-old who lost both his parents in quick succession earlier this year is desperate to travel to India.
"They keep extending these travel bans making it harder for people like me to travel to India. Is it even realistic to keep the borders closed for so long?" questioned the IT professional.
Mr Lahiri who has had a tormenting year said he has so many pending tasks to complete in India that are getting delayed due to his inability to travel to his home country.
"I have so much to do in India that is totally dependent on my physical presence, for instance, performing rituals, getting their death certificates and settle issues like getting the property transferred.
"And even if I succeeded in getting an outbound exemption, what's the guarantee that I will be able to return by the end of this year," he rued.
While the Australian government has removed for travel purposes and restored its travel exemption criteria to global settings, those seeking to travel can only get an exemption, if they meet one of the following conditions:
Ban on outbound international travel has been a sticking point for many Indian-Australian families who are desperate to travel. Source: Getty Images/Constantine Johnny
- your travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid
- your travel is for your business/employer
- you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
- you are travelling outside Australia for a compelling reason for three months or longer
- you are travelling on compelling or compassionate grounds
- your travel is in the national interest
- you are ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia.
When will Australia's borders reopen for international travel?
In July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison held out hope for freedom with a out of current restrictions, setting a target for 80% of adults to be fully vaccinated for a calibrated reopening of its international borders.
While he did not specify any timelines, the plan made it amply clear that borders are likely to remain largely shut until the vaccine targets are achieved, but limited travel could be allowed through proposed travel bubbles with low-risk destinations, including Singapore and the Pacific.
With Australia's largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne and the capital Canberra currently in strict lockdowns due to the rapidly spreading Delta variant, and other states hinting at forging their own plans out of the pandemic, the federal government has called on the jurisdictions to stick to the national pathway out of the pandemic.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, August 27, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP
Australia should open up as one - Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
"That is why it is really important whether you're in Western Australia, whether you're in Queensland or whether you're in the southern states you should follow the (national) plan," Mr Frydenberg told reporters on 1 September.
He added that the economic impact on businesses and jobs could be worse if lockdowns continued after the vaccine targets were met.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
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