Covid-19 Australia: Overseas travellers banned from shops pubs and schools

Australians back from overseas are not truly ‘quarantine free’ as claimed, after it emerged they have been banned from nights out and some family contact indoors for seven days after touchdown.

Fully-vaccinated people on international flights landing in New South Wales and Victoria had been told in official announcements they would avoid quarantine from November 1.

There were heart-warming scenes at Sydney airport on Monday with vaccinated travellers embracing loved ones as Australia’s international borders reopened after 590 days shut.

But new rules introduced with the re-opened borders mean international arrivals don’t get full-freedom immediately – and some don’t get it at all. 

While fully-vaccinated NSW residents have been enjoying the freedom to eat out and visit pubs travellers arriving from overseas have to wait (pictured, mates out in Sydney)

People landing in NSW from overseas face limits on their movement until they have received three negative Covid tests over 10 days.

The negative Covid tests must all be negative PCR tests – within three days of departure, within a day of arrival and in NSW, within seven days of arrival.

International travellers to Victoria need two negative Covid PCR tests – one before departure and one within 24 hours or arrival. 

The rules apply to all passengers but most will be free to come and go as they please after receiving that third negative test.

The new rules are expected to have the biggest effect on international flight crews – who fear they could be stuck in ‘de facto isolation’ because they often depart again within seven days of landing.

To be recognised as fully vaccinated a traveller must also produce proof they received an Covid vaccination approved in Australia. 

In NSW, updated ‘Guidelines for recent fully vaccinated arrivals’ now warn even vaccinated arrivals they ‘must not go to any high risk venues, large gatherings or hospitality settings’.

That includes pubs, bars, restaurants, concerts, sports matches, schools and aged care facilities.

The updated Public Health Order rules apply to passengers and international flight crews. 

Because international flight crew often depart on their next flight within seven days of landing they technically cannot enjoy a meal or drink out with family or friends in Sydney (pictured, Qantas crew on November 1)

Flight crews will struggle to get crew to serve under these conditions, said Australian International Pilots Association president Murray Butt, The Australian reported.

‘After seven-days crews will be operating another flight which means we’re in a constant cycle of restricted movement again.’

The real effect for flight crews is that the international arrivals system is not really quarantine-free, he said.

He sad there had never been a single confirmed case of Covid among ‘Australian-based’ crew on more than 8,000 freight and repatriation flights that took place during the pandemic. 

A Qantas pilot who did not want to be named said ‘most of us we will be never allowed to go to a restaurant or pub or club with our family and friends.’

It is understood Qantas has approached the NSW government to clarify how long it intends to keep the new rules in place.

In Victoria, arriving passengers who are not fully vaccinated need to go into 14 day hotel quarantine.

Children arriving in Victoria who are not fully vaccinated ‘must not visit childcare, aged care residential facilities, disability care facilities or hospitals (other than to receive emergency care).’