This is probably the best news we’ve heard in a while and something a lot of people have been waiting for! After almost 2 years of closed borders, the international border will again open up to tourists and visa holders from February 21, 2022. The Australian border has been closed since March 20, 2020, for most international arrivals.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The border opens up on February 21 at
- Everyone entering Australia must be double vaccinated with a recognised vaccine.
- Kids under 12 don’t need to be vaccinated to enter Australia. (no quarantine applies)
- Unvaccinated travellers can enter with a medical exemption but will need to undergo hotel quarantine (14 days).
- Australian citizens and permanent residents who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons are also treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel.
- Individual state entry requirements and protocols will still remain. For example, Western Australia will remain locked up and does not welcome domestic and international tourists.
- You will still need a negative COVID-19 PCR or other Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) test taken within 3 days before your flight’s scheduled departure, or a medical certificate as proof of a negative Rapid Antigen Test taken under medical supervision within 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.
Summing Up
From February 21, anyone with a valid visa will be able to enter Australia as long as they are double vaccinated (or single shot in case you had the J&J vaccine). It looks like testing will remain for the time being. Although you won’t be able to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Westralia, it’s unlikely that this would stop tourists from flocking to the eastern state to enjoy the last few weeks of summer.
Love your description of Westralia…
Thanks haha!
I think you got the entry conditions for unvaccinated travellers wrong. If you have a medical exemption, you’ll be treated the same as vaccinated arrivals (no quarantine). Only unvaccinated arrivals without a medical exemption do the 14 days in hotel quarantine. Even more confusing (though a welcome sign that restrictions are easing) is that Western Australia will only require a 7 day quarantine for unvaccinated arrivals when it’s border reopens on March 5. I would imagine the other states will also reduce their quarantine for the unvaccinated down to 7 days in March?
Hey John, it’s very confusing indeed! I believe what you’re referring to only applies to Australians entering the country? So if you’re on a tourist visa, business visa etc you’d first need to be medically exempt before applying for an exemption to enter Australia and quarantine. I’ve just been looking at various government sites and all are very vague. My understanding is that state governments are in charge of quarantine and rules that govern that. This link: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/covid-19/covid-19-and-travel/covid-19-re-entry-and-quarantine-measures modified quarantine arrangements states that “modified quarantine arrangements” are available for those who are medically exempt.
Do you have any sources that have more clear cut rules I can include? Cheers, Immanuel.
Ps. yes it’s odd that WA has gone to 7 days considering the “tough” stance of our dear leader!
Hi,
International arrivals to South Australia who are fully vaccinated require to undertake a Covid 19 test within 24hrs of arrival and quarantine until test. (That is the wording).
Questions are :- What type of test ? Where can International arrivals get tested ?
Would really appreciate any help in this matter.
Thanks.
Hi Paul, currently SA still requires a PCR test. There’s a range of facilities where you can go and get tested. You can check locations etc here: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19/testing+and+tracing/find+a+covid-19+pcr+testing+centre