When can we visit Australia again?

I would love to say I have only seen my daughter intermittently during the pandemic. The truth is I haven’t seen her at all for almost 3 years and I have no idea when I will see her again.

Spice. A 27 hour flight is a choice one makes and is a means to an end so no point in complaining about it

How is it a choice ? It’s either that or never see my son again.

We didn’t see our son and his family for three months last year and they only live a 40 minute drive from us. We weren’t allowed to drive any distance so they couldn’t even drive down and see us from over the garden wall. We saw our other son or DiL for ten minutes or less a week as they delivered our click and collect shopping to us, but we only saw them over the garden wall. Our daughter and her children used to visit weekly via an over the wall visit for about 15 minutes, but now they’re gone to New Zealand so we only see them via WhatsApp and the portal. At least we saw them up to May when they left, and they actually lived with us for two months after their house was sold. Everyone has been deprived of family and also friends. I haven’t seen one of my two dearest friends for two years as she lives 250 miles away. We haven’t seen my husband’s 94 year old parents for two years for the same reason. Everyone is missing their friends and families because of the pandemic, it’s horrible for everyone.

I hope that works out for them GrandmaKT. A tough time to plan weddings, for sure.

Waiting, with no expectations soon, for NZ to open up. My DS and his lovely Kiwi partner have now re-arranged their wedding date for the third time to Jan 2023. They refuse to get married without friends and family from around the world being there.
They have had two babies in the meantime, who, at this rate, will be making speeches at the wedding!

I have family a 27 hour flight away, and family 20 minutes away. At times, they have felt as inaccessible as each other with restrictions.

Lucca

Spice101

It's not only those who don't live in Australia that cannot see their families who live here.

Many of us living here have not been able to see family, even those living locally to us due to restrictions. One of our sons lives only 10 minutes away but we have not been able to see him or his family regularly since the pandemic started. Melbourne has the longest cumulative lockdown in the world. It is now over 260 days we have had lockdown restrictions.

I believe there is now a National plan regarding overseas arrivals but initially it is only for Australian citizens or residents.

The point is….when lockdown does end you will be able to see them SO easily! And so often. No 27 hour flight and huge expense and horrible goodbyes. Sorry but not that much sympathy from me ( I expect to be in trouble for that)

Works both ways, however I was not looking for your sympathy just pointing out that overseas people are not the only ones that are affected by border restrictions.

A 27 hour flight is a choice one makes and is a means to an end so no point in complaining about it.

I also went a long time without seeing family in UK last year plus not seeing family in Australia in my case for three years.

Elspeth45

Not nice or fair Lucca. I haven't seen my son and family who live 250 kms away from me here in NSW for 5 months. My other family in UK i haven't seen for 2 years. The journey is worth it.

I didn’t mean you I meant what Spice was saying.

Not nice or fair Lucca. I haven't seen my son and family who live 250 kms away from me here in NSW for 5 months. My other family in UK i haven't seen for 2 years. The journey is worth it.

My friend has got a flight to Sydney on the 30th November to see her dD and family

I hope for all of us that we get to see our families again in the not too distant future. It’s hard just waiting but at least I can see the rest of my family in the UK

I wish I at least had that ayse but unfortunately both my DS and DD live in Australia. Hopefully one or other will be able to travel here in the spring.

I think the horriblest thought is that we might never see our families down under again, and those thoughts are sometimes hard to banish. I can't imagine how hard it is for those of you with grandchildren there, my relatives are nieces and cousins in NZ who we usually see every 2 years. One is supposed to be getting married in Hong Kong in April, so we are all hoping that will serve as a family get together at last.
I'm guessing the plan will very much involve one slow step at a time.

I’m waiting patiently for NZ to open but it’s not likely until next Easter at the earliest, according to my DD. I’m really missing my family there as they are always so happy and cheerful.

I hope for all of us that we get to see our families again in the not too distant future. It’s hard just waiting but at least I can see the rest of my family in the UK.

Spice101

It's not only those who don't live in Australia that cannot see their families who live here.

Many of us living here have not been able to see family, even those living locally to us due to restrictions. One of our sons lives only 10 minutes away but we have not been able to see him or his family regularly since the pandemic started. Melbourne has the longest cumulative lockdown in the world. It is now over 260 days we have had lockdown restrictions.

I believe there is now a National plan regarding overseas arrivals but initially it is only for Australian citizens or residents.

The point is….when lockdown does end you will be able to see them SO easily! And so often. No 27 hour flight and huge expense and horrible goodbyes. Sorry but not that much sympathy from me ( I expect to be in trouble for that)

Callistemon

^Sorry, I forgot to mention that the article only covers NSW.^

No plans for other states yet, then.

Not good news for us then Calli. We will just have to live in hope this may soon include Queensland. ??

It's not only those who don't live in Australia that cannot see their families who live here.

Many of us living here have not been able to see family, even those living locally to us due to restrictions. One of our sons lives only 10 minutes away but we have not been able to see him or his family regularly since the pandemic started. Melbourne has the longest cumulative lockdown in the world. It is now over 260 days we have had lockdown restrictions.

I believe there is now a National plan regarding overseas arrivals but initially it is only for Australian citizens or residents.

I’m thinking of Easter too Lucca, longing to see my son and grandchildren in Perth. Fingers crossed.

In the same club here. But it’s looking more hopeful at last. Who on earth would have thought of a pandemic ?!

NSW only apparently

My son seems to think they are about to allow people in without quArantining? I’m thinking about Easter..l

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the article only covers NSW.

No plans for other states yet, then.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the article only covers NSW.
They are trying all sorts of things to try and make it easier to admit us so perhaps when we go we will be able to avoid the hotel quarantine. We were made to isolate for a week last year when we arrived in Perth a few day before our flight home , even though we has been in Australia for 2 months! It was not pleasant so if we can go strain it may be worth waiting a bit longer.

They weren't even allowing Australian citizens back in to visit sick parents without a bureaucratic struggle just a couple of months ago.

But that is good news, isn't it?

We may be able to go after all.