COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Australia (4 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Only diplomats, some business travellers, and anyone with compassionate or essential reasons to enter Australia may enter.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Foreign nationals are allowed to transit if they are booked on a connecting flight that will depart from the same airport within eight hours. Passengers in transit with a connecting flight that will depart within 72 hours of arrival must go to a mandatory quarantine site at a state-designated facility until the time of their departure.

• Travellers may require pre-departure PCR COVID-19 testing.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Anyone arriving in Australia does not require a PCR test, however, is subject to undergo health screening.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Anyone arriving in Australia will be subject to 14-day quarantine at a designated location.

• Travellers coming to Australia who stayed for the last 14 days in New Zealand are exempt from quarantine measures.

Entry form required?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers coming from a safe travel zone must print and complete the COVID-19 declaration form.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Authorities recommend downloading the COVIDSafe app.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic flights are operating on a limited basis.

• Australian Airlines has resumed some domestic operations to and from major cities. United Airlines will operate three flights per week from Sydney to Los Angeles, and passengers will be limited to 50 per flight.

• Quarantine-free flights between Australia and New Zealand have begun, excluding Western Australia. Travellers coming to Western Australia from New Zealand must quarantine for 14 days.

• Regular international flights to and from Melbourne will likely resume at the end of November.

• Weekly flights between Singapore and Melbourne have resumed.

• Flights between New Zealand and Melbourne resumed on 9 November.

• All international inbound flights to Adelaide are suspended.

• Travellers coming from South Australia to Melbourne Airport will be interviewed and may require a rapid test.

-Some airlines require pre-departure COVID-19 PCR testing.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Australian citizens or permanent residents cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless they have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs and meet at least one of the following criteria: the travel is part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid; their travel is essential for the conduct of critical industries and business (including export and import industries); travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia; travelling on urgent and unavoidable personal business; travelling on compassionate or humanitarian grounds, or travel that is in the national interest.

• Cruise ships are banned from docking at the ports.

• Australia may reopen its borders with Asian countries by end of this year.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• The governments of nearly all states and territories of Australia have implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures. These measures could change with little notice.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Different Australian states are reopening through various stages of restrictions. The restrictions are being lifted in three stages:

• Stage 1:

• Five visitors are allowed in a particular home.

• Social gatherings are limited to 10 people.

• Schools, restaurants, cafes, playgrounds, libraries, and community centres may open.

• Local and regional travel is allowed. Interstate travel is prohibited.

• Stage 2:

• Public gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed.

• Gyms, cinemas, museums, and some other non-essential businesses will be open.

• Some interstate travel may be possible.

• Stage 3:

• Full resumption of businesses and interstate travel is allowed.

• Social gatherings will be allowed up to 100 people.

Currently, most states are following stage 3 of reopening. Restrictions that are being eased in different states are given below:

• Australian Capital Territory:

  • Open-air drive-in cinemas can operate with up to 200 vehicles per drive-in cinema, per session.

  • There is no limit on household visitors.

  • Gatherings are allowed for up to 200 people, however, people must maintain 1.5-meter physical distance.

  • Non-essential businesses are open.

  • Religious services, outdoor boot camps as well as weddings and personal training are allowed.

  • Gatherings (both indoors and outdoors) at funerals or weddings should not exceed 200 people.

  • Entertainment venues are open, however, must follow public health guidelines.

  • Schools are open.

• New South Wales:

  • Entertainment venues, such as cinemas, theatres, and concert halls, can increase their capacity to 50 per cent to a maximum of 1,000 tickets.

  • Corporate affairs at function venues can extend to 300 attendees.

  • Cinemas, theatres, and concert halls are allowed to open with limited capacity.

  • Gatherings up to 10,000 people are allowed at a ticketed event with allocated seating at a major entertainment facility, such as a stadium. Gatherings of up to 500 people are allowed at a non-ticketed or non-seated event at major entertainment buildings, such as a theme park or racecourse.

  • Hotels have reopened with a reduced capacity.

  • Travelling to regional New South Wales for a holiday is allowed.

  • Museums, galleries, pools, and libraries are open.

  • Pubs, clubs, cafes, and restaurants are open with strict guidelines.

  • Salons and hair stylists can open with strict social distancing guidelines.

  • A maximum of 300 people can attend weddings maintaining a 4 square meter rule.

  • A maximum of 300 people can attend funerals.

  • A maximum of 300 people can attend places of worship maintaining a 4-square meter rule.

  • All outdoor events are limited to 500 people including religious services.

  • Schools are open.

  • Social distancing protocols must be followed.

  • From 7 December there will be no limitation for the public gathering if they maintain 1 person per 2 square metres indoors and outdoors.

• Western Australia:

  • A maximum of 100 people can attend weddings and funerals.

  • Picnics, fishing, boating, and camping are now permitted, except in the biosecurity zones in parts of the Shire of East Pilbara, Kimberley region, and the Shire of Ngaanyatarraku, and remote Aboriginal communities.

  • Cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels, casinos, and clubs are open.

  • In churches and other places of worship, gatherings are allowed up to a maximum of 500 people.

  • Gyms and yoga centres can open with a maximum of 20 people.

  • Schools are open.

• Queensland:

  • A maximum of 100 people can gather in outdoor places and 50 in indoor places.

  • Beauty therapy, nail salons, tanning, tattoo parlours, and spas can open with strict guidelines.

  • For funerals and weddings, a maximum of 100 people can attend.

  • Restaurants, pubs, and cafes can serve 50 people at a time.

  • Some of the educational institutes are open.

  • A maximum of 50 people can attend in places of worship with strict public health guidelines.

  • A maximum of 50 people can gather publicly. For weddings and funerals, a maximum of 200 people will be allowed to attend.

• Northern Territory:

  • There is no limit for public gatherings in any place, except for major events. Major events are limited to 500 people.

  • People can participate in public gatherings, sporting, and religious activities, however, they should maintain social distancing norms.

  • Schools have reopened.

  • Businesses are allowed to resume.

  • National parks are open for camping, swimming, and hiking, however, people must maintain physical distancing.

• South Australia:.

  • All hospitality services such as pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants must maintain the 1 person per 2 square meter rule.

  • Private gatherings are limited to 50 people in any licensed venues.

  • A maximum of 2 visitors can visit any house per day.

  • A maximum of 150 people can attend funerals, weddings, and religious ceremonies.

  • All gyms, recreation centres, trampoline centres and play cafes are closed.

  • A maximum of 150 people can gather in private residences.

• Tasmania:

  • Public gatherings up to a maximum of 1,000 people are allowed outdoors.

  • For indoor funerals and weddings, a maximum of 250 people can gather.

  • Schools in north-western Tasmania are open.

  • Non-essential businesses are open.

• Victoria:

  • Face masks are mandatory in public places.

  • A maximum of 50 people can gather publicly.

  • A maximum of 150 people can attend weddings. A maximum of 150 people can attend funerals.

  • Religious gatherings are limited to 300 people outside and 150 indoors.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Travellers coming from South Australia to Victoria must have a Victorian Border Crossing Permit and may also need to have a COVID-19 rapid test.

• Travellers coming from Adelaide (South Australia) to Queensland must undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine.

• Travellers coming from South Australia to Tasmania must undergo quarantine.

• Travellers coming from South Australia to Northern Territory must undergo a 14-day quarantine or return to South Australia.

• Travellers coming from South Australia are restricted to enter Western Australia except for senior government officials, military and Commonwealth personnel, transport freight or logistics, or an authorized officer.

• South Australia fas reopened the border with Victoria on 1 December.

• Australia will reopen all state and territory except for Western Australia borders by Christmas.

• Western Australia has lifted state border restrictions. Travellers from NSW and Victoria must quarantine upon arrival.

• Visitors and Queensland residents coming from NSW can enter Queensland for any reason unless they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the past 14 days. They will need a valid border pass and will be exempt from mandatory quarantine.

• Returning Australia Capital Territory (ACT) citizens from Victoria must quarantine for 14 days. Non-ACT citizens are not allowed to enter except with permission of the ACT authority.

• Anyone coming to NSW who has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self-isolate for 14 days.

• Non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania must quarantine for 14 days if arriving from high-risk areas.

• Travellers coming from Victoria to Tasmania will not be required to quarantine.

• Travellers arriving in Tasmania for essential purposes from high-risk areas must go through a COVID-19 test.

• Anyone entering the Northern Territory must complete a border entry form. Travellers coming from COVID-19 hotspot zones must quarantine for 14 days in a designated quarantine facility.

• Anyone entering Western Australia will be quarantined for 14 days in a designated hotel room.

• Queensland borders are open for travellers from all states and territories other than Victoria, New South Wales, and ACT. Queenslanders coming from high-risk areas must quarantine for 14 days in a hotel. Anyone coming from Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory may enter the Queensland, however, they must sign a border declaration form. Anyone showing symptoms will be tested for COVID-19.

• Rail and bus services are currently operating at a reduced level.

• Public transport services are limited on some routes.

• There are limited options for inter-state travel.

• NSW authorities reopened the border with Victoria.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Non-essential shops are open, however, may vary by region.

Accommodations open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Accommodations are open, however, may vary by region.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are open, however, may vary by region.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Bars and cafes are open, however, may vary by region.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Museums and heritage sites are open with strict social distancing guidelines and limited capacity. This may vary by region.

Personal care services open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Personal care services are open, however, may vary by region.

Places of worship open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Places of worship are open, however, may vary by region.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• Events are allowed, however, may vary by region.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Masks are required in public.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.

To reduce the risk of infection by this virus if travelling in or from affected areas:

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

• Wearing a mask (face covering) is recommended in public places and when social distancing is not possible.

• Wash hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

• Older travellers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affected areas with their healthcare provider.

• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after visiting affected areas where transmission is occurring