04 Jul 2022 | 05:12 AM UTC
Australia: Authorities to end COVID-19 entry restrictions from July 6 /update 48
Australia to lift COVID-19 entry requirements from July 6. Domestic controls vary by state.
Event
The Australian government will end COVID-19 entry restrictions from 00:001 AEST July 6. Officials will permit entry for all international travelers, regardless of vaccination status. Inbound passengers will no longer need to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration.
Domestic Measures
A nationwide facemask mandate remains in place for domestic flights, though state authorities have lifted the mandate for airport terminals according to federal government advice. Most state-level governments continue to require facemasks on public transport and high-risk settings, such as medical facilities.
Most states require people who contract COVID-19 to report test results if using a rapid antigen test (RAT) and self-quarantine for seven days or until they no longer experience symptoms. Officials in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia require cases to undergo testing before exiting quarantine. Almost all states require designated close contacts of a COVID-19 case to complete a health declaration, report their status to employers, wear facemasks in public, undergo regular RAT testing, and avoid high-risk settings for seven days. People that contracted COVID-19 within the previous 12 weeks are typically exempt from quarantine and close contact management protocols.
The following state-specific restrictions remain in place as of July 4:
Australian Capital Territory: Organizers of events with more than 5,000 people must obtain a COVID-19 Safety Plan approval. Close contacts can continue to work but must take a RAT 24 hours before returning to work and every subsequent 48 hours for seven days after notification.
New South Wales: State vaccine requirements remain for specific industries. Businesses can still require vaccination and/or facemasks for entry. Close contacts of COVID-19 cases must take a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) if meeting people outside the home. Inbound fully vaccinated passengers and unvaccinated returning residents must self-quarantine until obtaining a negative RAT result. Authorities strongly recommend travelers take another RAT on the sixth day after arrival.
Northern Territory: The government limits access to exclusion zones, communities that have yet to reach an 80-percent vaccination rate. Residents of exclusion zones, essential workers and their family members, and select students can travel to the affected zones but must return a negative RAT result before entry, with exceptions for recovered COVID-19 cases. Entrants must provide a negative RAT test obtained before entering the area and an online declaration stating the individual has completed the test. Exclusion zones can be found here. Close contacts must take RATs within three days of notification and on day six.
Queensland: Close contacts of COVID-19 cases must take a COVID-19 test every other day. Employees who test negative can return to work, though officials encourage remote work if possible.
South Australia: High-risk businesses, such as hospitals, must have QR codes for contact tracing efforts. Officials encourage patrons to check into establishments using the mySA GOV mobile application. Officials define close contacts as household members or people who have spent four hours indoors with a confirmed case without distancing or facemasks. Close contacts must take five RATs over seven days from exposure. The government prohibits close contacts from entering Tier 1 settings, such as hospitals and aged care facilities, for 14 days and Tier 2 locations, like general practice and pharmacies, for seven days from exposure, except to purchase medical supplies. Inbound international passengers must take a RAT or PCR test on arrival and self-quarantine until receiving a negative result. Arrivals must also carry out daily symptom checks for 14 days.
Tasmania: Venues must seek permission for events with more than 5,000 attendees and music festivals with more than 2,000 patrons. Authorities will begin easing facemask requirements in phases, lifting the measure for public transport from June 25 and high-risk settings from July 1. High-risk medical facilities must collect patrons' contact information using the Check in TAS mobile application or manually. Designated close contacts of COVID-19 cases must undergo daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) for seven days.
Victoria: Designated close contacts must take five RATs within the first seven days from exposure. Officials recommend inbound international passengers take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arrival.
Western Australia: Authorities require proof of vaccination to enter medical facilities; individuals 16 years old and above must provide identification. A vaccination mandate continues for healthcare and health support workers and employees at residential aged care and disability facilities. Asymptomatic close contacts must take a daily RAT.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements.
