In a relief to passengers planning to visit Queensland, the state has waived quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers from January 22, 2022.
In the revised Queensland COVID-19 travel guidelines, the government said that fully vaccinated passengers have no restriction to enter the state and do not need to quarantine on arrival. However, the passenger must undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until the result arrives. All international passengers already in quarantine are also free to leave from 1 am on January 22.
According to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, it is time for families to reunite. “I think it now actually allows certainty for people to be able to book their airline tickets.”
The request to take a rapid antigen test is a precautionary measure. “We’re just asking people to please do that, just to check if they are testing positive,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Queensland COVID-19 travel guidelines for not-fully vaccinated passengers suggest that such passengers will have to undertake quarantine for 14 days in the hotel and meet existing testing requirements. If the passenger is unable for a home quarantine, one may also undertake quarantine in a government-nominated facility. Queensland officials will not provide financial support in the event of restrictions and lockdowns.
“Regardless of where you come from, the passenger must complete the Australian travel declaration and abide by the public health directions in place at the time. Get tested if you have any symptoms and isolate until you receive your results,” the Queensland Health department said in its notification.
Not too Concerned About Virus Spread, says Palaszczuk
According to Palaszczuk, the government is not too worried about virus spread by allowing quarantine-free international travel. “There’s more virus circulating in Australia at the moment than there would be on a planeload coming from a different country,” she said.
The Australian state will soon achieve a 90% double-dose vaccination rate for people of 16 and above years.
“We look forward to working cooperatively with airlines, the Government and the entire travel industry to recreate and support demand for Queensland and see visitor numbers rebuild,” Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff responded to the government’s decision to ease travel restrictions.
