International travel for Australians

I really think any given date is a hoped for projection. It could change any time, depending on what happens nationally and internationally.

Nanna, im more than happy for our borders to remain closed, would rather be free of Covid. I'd love to visit my family in UK, but prepared to wait, unless I'm too old to travel then! Our Government has done a wonderful job to keep us safe, let's keep it like that.

Have visited Bali and really feel for them and all other countries which depend on tourism.

How fortunate for those of you living in Australia and New Zealand that you have governments who acted decisively to protect their citizens.
The pandemic has been handled appallingly here in the U.K. by bumbling Boris. So many deaths which could have been avoided had we closed our borders and employed stricter measures at least a year ago.

While I entirely agree with the view of Boris Johnson as inept Australia is the most sparsely populated country in the world with a population of only 25 million. Our tiny island has close to 70 million with London alone with about 12 million so go compare as that Italian tenor would sing. We can’t compare like with like but that does not excuse how badly this has been managed )apart from
The vaccination rate which was run by the nhs and not the government.)

What are the plans in Australia to vaccinate the population?.
After very poor response last year the UK has now vaccinated a large part of the population and the pandemic is receding.
There will be virus lingering in 2022 make sure you are vaccinated before you go anywhere.

Esspee

How fortunate for those of you living in Australia and New Zealand that you have governments who acted decisively to protect their citizens.
The pandemic has been handled appallingly here in the U.K. by bumbling Boris. So many deaths which could have been avoided had we closed our borders and employed stricter measures at least a year ago.

Apart from Australia and NZ, the pandemic would have been much less if ALL governments had banned international flights, except for freight. Fewer crew and passengers to keep quarantined. Am afraid am disgusted with some of our population still thinking it is okay to travel to world pandemic hotspots who think it is their right, because they don’t want to miss a family wedding, and then winging they can’t afford quarantine when they return to the UK. Returning via Turkey , thank goodness now a Red country. Before anyone shouts at me, people have just come here to see their boyfriend,from other countries, angry.

My friends in Sydney have had their first vaccine - just rang GP and made appointment, AZ, cost just over $2. No idea what overall picture is. However, given their control of cases, there’s clearly not the desperate need to be vaccinated as we had earlier this year. My friends could have been vaccinated earlier but were away on holiday and quite relaxed about waiting.

I agree Lin52 - UK should have followed Australia and New Zealand's lead and closed borders. Most of my family live abroad and there have been a number of significant family events over the last 18 months which I have missed as I would (a) not want to risk infecting them and (b) would not want to risk catching the virus myself.

I don't understand why anyone would want to travel abroad at this time, especially to countries which have not vaccinated large portions of their population. Why not holiday in this country and help the hospitality businesses who have been struggling

I do hope that Australians can travel next year. We have a big wedding over here and would love my DD and her husband to be able to come.
I was having a conversation with a friend on Saturday. She was getting a bit excited about being able to travel to 14 countries without quarantine. The hadn’t read the bit about the fact that we aren’t allowed entry to quite a few on the list. Anyone for Tristan da Cuhna? So easy to get there.?

I think New Zealand and Australia have both done good. At least they can travel between the two contries freely, which many of them do.
But NZ s economy will suffer as tourism contributes a large chunk, and also a good percentage of NZ s are employed in the industry. They can't keep travellers away for much longer can they?

Don't hold your breath Pamela. I don't think Australians are going anywhere in a hurry.

Lillie, NZ can keep travellers away by encouraging domestic travel.

The borders of both countries need to stay shut at present.

Suziew - vaccinations are being done now, free, so don't know why someone was charged $2! We still have some restrictions but we are lucky.

I know a population of 25 .4 million seems low but you must bear in mind that Australians have to live round the edges because the climate is inhospitable in many areas. We are crowded round Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide. Over 90 % of us live in theses areas. I wouldn’t want to live in the red centre with temps up to 50c, besides they haven’t organised water or anything in many parts. Not a choice.

Bigred18

Suziew - vaccinations are being done now, free, so don't know why someone was charged $2! We still have some restrictions but we are lucky.

My friends paid that’s all I know. I’ll ask them why - I was a bit surprised.

Just WA my friends - when they told me the vaccine cost $2 they meant that was what the Govt was paying not them personally. Thanks for helping me clear this up ?

No we don’t have to pay for Covid vaccines here as far as I am aware. Because we are old the flu vaccine and the shingles vaccine are also free. When you get vaccines for travel like Hep A, typhus etc you do have to pay. Fair enough.

nanna8

I know a population of 25 .4 million seems low but you must bear in mind that Australians have to live round the edges because the climate is inhospitable in many areas. We are crowded round Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide. Over 90 % of us live in theses areas. I wouldn’t want to live in the red centre with temps up to 50c, besides they haven’t organised water or anything in many parts. Not a choice.

I went to Coober Pedy once. 50 degrees and the Air Con in the camper van couldn't cope. Had to pay for the shower by the minute. Couldn't swim in the pool because of the inch-long flying ants. Loved it!

Anyway, I digress....

Interesting about the travel plans nanna8 and very well made point about Bali etc.

I think being unable to travel is - the very least of our worries. Yes, of course, those who rely heavily on tourism will suffer, but safety first for this year, at least.

CafeAuLait

Don't hold your breath Pamela. I don't think Australians are going anywhere in a hurry.

Lillie, NZ can keep travellers away by encouraging domestic travel.

The borders of both countries need to stay shut at present.

Granted.
But in a country of only 4.8 million that isn't many domestic tourists. Some the population won't travel round the country because they have small holdings etc to look after.
Some won't be paying for hotels and motels and eating in restaurants because they have their own campers. Most of them like the great outdoors and that is free anyway.
In contrast the UK has an abundance of homegrown tourists ready to part with cash on UK hospitality.
It will be interesting to see how different economies fare.

Hetty58

I think being unable to travel is - the very least of our worries. Yes, of course, those who rely heavily on tourism will suffer, but safety first for this year, at least.

Spare a thought for those who miss the children living abroad.....

Lillie

CafeAuLait

Don't hold your breath Pamela. I don't think Australians are going anywhere in a hurry.

Lillie, NZ can keep travellers away by encouraging domestic travel.

The borders of both countries need to stay shut at present.

Granted.
But in a country of only 4.8 million that isn't many domestic tourists. Some the population won't travel round the country because they have small holdings etc to look after.
Some won't be paying for hotels and motels and eating in restaurants because they have their own campers. Most of them like the great outdoors and that is free anyway.
In contrast the UK has an abundance of homegrown tourists ready to part with cash on UK hospitality.
It will be interesting to see how different economies fare.

Yes, I know NZ well and have friends living there still. Maybe if they can't go elsewhere NZers will be more likely to make the effort to travel locally? I think cost is a possible barrier.

Interesting to hear the Australian plans to open the borders nanna8. We are hoping that we will be able to travel to NZ for our son's wedding in February (postponed from Feb this year). If possible, we'd like to be there for Christmas to spend time with our darling GS and new baby expected in August. Although we are lucky that we have been vaccinated now and can travel in the UK, this pandemic has really put our lives in suspension.

Katie59

What are the plans in Australia to vaccinate the population?.
After very poor response last year the UK has now vaccinated a large part of the population and the pandemic is receding.
There will be virus lingering in 2022 make sure you are vaccinated before you go anywhere.

As far as I hear, rather slow with resistance amongst many.
DD's in-laws have had their first vaccinations now though (70+)