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Is Australia ready to take off?
The long-awaited resumption of international travel has been hinted at by Australia's national carrier, Qantas, and it is going to look different from what it was two years ago.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last week that borders will open next month for states that have reached a minimum 80% percent vaccine milestone. With this, Aussies are expecting to finally be able to use their passports and frequent flyer miles again.
Though Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas, has a reminder that certain details would be necessary for international travel this time.
An essential component of the flight plan is the vaccine passport. Technology for a digital travel pass would make the process seamless and smooth, according to the airline, and currently, Qantas is working with The International Air Transport Association to make this possible.
Those who will be travelling must also expect to undergo up to four tests for COVID-19. One is prior to departure for each flight, and two will be done while in mandatory quarantine.
Extra precautionary measures are still being devised should a person test positive during a pre-flight test. But under the current protocol, all travellers tested must come up with a negative result before being allowed to board a flight.
But Joyce anticipates the possible deterrent: the seven-day home quarantine program.
“Now while seven days home quarantine is a step in the right direction – we believe over time that needs to get shorter,” the CEO stated.
He said that domestic flights for Australians coming home to visit family and friends would not be affected much by the quarantine period, as they may be willing to undergo the seven-day quarantine.
“But certainly overseas tourists and business travellers will not come to Australia if that’s in place – particularly when there is no quarantine for travellers in most parts of the world.”
He highlighted that the next priorities are skilled migrants as well as students, both very important to the country.
But welcoming tourists back into Australia may not happen until next year, he said.
There is still a lot to do, but we are nearly ready for take off.
This article is based on an article written by Carla La Tella for OverSixty.com.au.
