Australia To End Pre-Departure Covid-19 Tests For International Travellers From April 18

Australia, the continent nation that imposed some of the world’s strictest Covid-19 travel restrictions, is now started to ease entry restrictions for international travellers and plans to phase down the pre-departure Covid-19 test requirements.

This comes following medical advice, Australia’s Biosecurity Emergency Determination for COVID-19 will not be renewed when it expires on April 17, resulting in changes to border requirements beginning on April 18.

The emergency period was a crucial early decision in Australia’s pandemic response. It has saved tens of thousands of lives as Australia avoided some of the worst outcomes from the early spread of the virus and now has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.

Australia To Eases Entry Requirements

As Australia moves towards living with COVID-19, the following emergency measures will also lapse:

• Negative pre-departure tests for travellers entering Australia.
• Restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels into and within Australian territory – announced on 15 March – will lapse on 17 April 2022.
• Price gouging rules on rapid antigen tests – supply is strong and to date, more than 509 million RATs have arrived in Australia. The ACCC will still closely monitor the supply of RATS to ensure price gouging does not occur.

Also Read: Scheduled International Flights: DGCA Approved 3,249 Weekly Flights To And From 40+ Countries Starting March 27

International visitors entering and leaving Australia will still be required to show proof of a double vaccination against COVID-19. Travellers will still be required to wear a mask on international flights due to medical advice.

These measures will be implemented under the non-emergency provisions in the Biosecurity Act. The requirements for maritime arrivals will also be aligned with those on airlines, as part of the safety protocols for the resumption of cruising.

Australia Fully Reopens International Borders

In February 2022, Australia has fully reopened its international borders for tourists and other travellers who are fully vaccinated against the Covid-19. The reopening of Australian borders for international tourists has ended a hiatus of almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the world’s longest-running pandemic travel restrictions.

• Starting from 21st February 2022 all fully vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. However, Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated visa holders will still need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia.

• Also, unvaccinated travellers who have a medical reason for not being jabbed will still need to apply for a travel exemption and, if successful, will be required to quarantine at a hotel.

• This comes after the Australian Govt has announced the reopening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time after the Coronavirus pandemic.