Australian state border restrictions

[MooTime]

SA just shut the border to NT. Seriously. Let me outta here.

Sorry @Must...Fly! - this is dumb and dumber.

So is SA opening next week to all states for visitors / domestic tourists, yet closed their border to NT after literally a handful of covid cases in remote NT?

So they open to NT next week, in a matter of days regardless of cases etc etc.

Please don't tell me this is what's happening.

Big omg!

 

[clifford]

So is SA opening next week to all states for visitors / domestic tourists, yet closed their border to NT after literally a handful of covid cases in remote NT?

So they open to NT next week, in a matter of days regardless of cases etc etc.

Please don't tell me this is what's happening.

Big omg!

I have a booking to fly to ADL in Feb from CBR. I'm not confident it will happen...

What will the SA Govt do when they get more than a couple of cases?

 

[Cddc]

Another GTFO moment… coming thick and fast today!

If you have a quick google though you can have one for free

Thanks, I shall have a captain cook.

What annoys me the most is the drip feeding of info. Why not make it clear from the outset weeks ago what the requirements are?

They just make cough up as they go along. Covid is sooooo 2020, let people get on with their lives.

Why try and protect the few who refuse to get vaccinated to the detriment of those that have done the right thing? Grrrrr...

 

[Flashback]

This is an absolute farce. How is a private lab test where your negative result is provided on paper any different from when it is provided in text from a government facility? Confusion as Queenslanders face $150 Covid tests

Both do cost money, the taxpayer foots the bill for one and the private consumer the other. These things aren't free and they do cost, which I know as we do our own PCR testing. The machines to analyse the samples aren't cheap (you're talking up to $50k), then there is staffing costs, office costs, logistics costs etc.

 

[sydneyboi]

im in Sydney LGA with only 75% DD and booked for Adelaide December 3rd, it won't happen unless they change this stupid rule..

 

[Pushka]

So is SA opening next week to all states for visitors / domestic tourists, yet closed their border to NT after literally a handful of covid cases in remote NT?

So they open to NT next week, in a matter of days regardless of cases etc etc.

Please don't tell me this is what's happening.

Big omg!

Yup. You nailed it. Dumb and dumber.

 

[Pushka]

I have a booking to fly to ADL in Feb from CBR. I'm not confident it will happen...

What will the SA Govt do when they get more than a couple of cases?

im in Sydney LGA with only 75% DD and booked for Adelaide December 3rd, it won't happen unless they change this stupid rule..

And posted just now by SA Health
"Fully vaccinated visitors travelling from Sydney and Melbourne have been assured they will be allowed into South Australia without quarantine when borders reopen next week.
In the wake of a public backlash at the widespread border confusion SA Health said a statistical error that significantly under-reports interstate jab rates would be fixed by Tuesday.

This means vaccinated travellers from the NSW and Victorian capitals will be allowed into the state when borders reopen."

 

[MooTime]

And posted just now by SA Health
"Fully vaccinated visitors travelling from Sydney and Melbourne have been assured they will be allowed into South Australia without quarantine when borders reopen next week.
In the wake of a public backlash at the widespread border confusion SA Health said a statistical error that significantly under-reports interstate jab rates would be fixed by Tuesday.

This means vaccinated travellers from the NSW and Victorian capitals will be allowed into the state when borders reopen."

That's amazing. So border shut at all cost today, NT we couldn't possibly let you guys in with your half doz cases, but red carpet laid out for NSW & Vic who have hundreds of daily cases & 000's of active cases, I fail to see how one could have any reasoning for this!

How is SA or any other premier going to be ok with cases building once open going into the hundreds.

Can't they see bloody NSW & Vic, we are open free & next to no restrictions, masks for now but soon even they'll go to landfill.

Will be interesting when states open.

 

[Must...Fly!]

soon even they'll go to landfill.

You should see the amount of plastic I'm throwing away doing rapid tests every day. Makes me sick.

 

[sydneyboi]

And posted just now by SA Health
"Fully vaccinated visitors travelling from Sydney and Melbourne have been assured they will be allowed into South Australia without quarantine when borders reopen next week.
In the wake of a public backlash at the widespread border confusion SA Health said a statistical error that significantly under-reports interstate jab rates would be fixed by Tuesday.

This means vaccinated travellers from the NSW and Victorian capitals will be allowed into the state when borders reopen."

And posted just now by SA Health
"Fully vaccinated visitors travelling from Sydney and Melbourne have been assured they will be allowed into South Australia without quarantine when borders reopen next week.
In the wake of a public backlash at the widespread border confusion SA Health said a statistical error that significantly under-reports interstate jab rates would be fixed by Tuesday.

This means vaccinated travellers from the NSW and Victorian capitals will be allowed into the state when borders reopen."

thank yo so much

 

[sydneyboi]

And posted just now by SA Health
"Fully vaccinated visitors travelling from Sydney and Melbourne have been assured they will be allowed into South Australia without quarantine when borders reopen next week.
In the wake of a public backlash at the widespread border confusion SA Health said a statistical error that significantly under-reports interstate jab rates would be fixed by Tuesday.

This means vaccinated travellers from the NSW and Victorian capitals will be allowed into the state when borders reopen."

can you please send me the link ? I can not see it on SA Health Twitter....Thank you

 

[Pushka]

can you please send me the link ? I can not see it on SA Health Twitter....Thank you

It's in adelaidenow website but might be paywalled. I pasted directly.

No Cookies | The Advertiser

No Cookies

www.adelaidenow.com.au

And a bit more

"In response to inquiries, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said data problems would be “resolved prior” to Tuesday after productive talks across the country.

“Our information to date suggests that LGAs in Melbourne and Sydney have higher rates than reported by the commonwealth government,” she said.

“This work will be finalised in the coming days and we look forward to updating the community then.”

SA authorities believe the Melbourne and Sydney CBDs’ double vaccination rates of 71.8 per cent and 73.2 per cent are inaccurate because they are based on outdated population data – which includes a huge number of foreign students who have returned to their home countries"

I also posted a couple of days ago on SA Health FB page that they needed to sort this issue out pronto.

 

[sydneyboi]

It's in adelaidenow website but might be paywalled.

No Cookies | The Advertiser

No Cookies

www.adelaidenow.com.au

Thank you, yes pay walled

 

[Lynda2475]

Both do cost money, the taxpayer foots the bill for one and the private consumer the other. These things aren't free and they do cost, which I know as we do our own PCR testing. The machines to analyse the samples aren't cheap (you're talking up to $50k), then there is staffing costs, office costs, logistics costs etc.

That may well be the case, however heaps of the state run free testing sites run 7 days a week even on public holidays ( i know people who were tested on xmas day last year and had results in 13 hours), whereas the private lab do not generally operate on Public holidays.

So for those of us meant to fly at say 9am on the 27th Dec, we have to get tested no later than 12:30pm on 24th December (that is 72 hours before arrival at CNS), would actually need to be later in case the flight is delayed.

There is pretty much zero chance of private lab open late on Xmas eve and guaranteeing "paper results" on xmas day or boxing day, since no mail running on those days.

Whereas if we can use the normal test clinics we can get tested and will have sms result usually within 12 hours or do a RAT at the airport.

If Queensland dont change this ridiculous private lab "paper test" requirement by the end of Nov have no choice but to cancel.

There is no reason why Qld shouldn't be able to accept and trust the test results from the state run test site in other states. This is just a way to deter people form travelling and the damage will be to Qld tourism as it is all too hard.

Its not about the money it is about the practicality of getting tested over the holiday period when you take the open testing sites off the table.

But given I pay my taxes and medicare levy, I shouldn't have to pay again for a test for domestic travel when borders should be wide open already. Plenty of hypochondriacs have had multiple tests, I've not ever been a close or casual contact and have had no symptoms since the pandemic began so have had zero need for a test to date, I should get this one for free.

 

[PineappleSkip]

So for those of us meant to fly at say 9am on the 27th Dec, we have to get tested no later than 12:30pm on 24th December (that is 72 hours before arrival at CNS), would actually need to be later in case the flight is delayed.

In each capital city there are labs open 7 days, e.g. SYD airport, MURRARRIE IN Brisbane, although not all test sites are. SYD is open till 8 pm Xmas eve.
Some public holidays are a problem, and have been throughout the pandemic As well as other problems. My last trip collection window was about 24 hours, not 72 because of destination requirement. I had to fly to SYD because couldn’t meet the test window flying out of BNE.

There is no reason why Qld shouldn't be able to accept and trust the test results from the state run test site in other states.

I suspect the argument is that it is travel testing, so not illness related. Same as paying (a lot) to visit a travel doctor. Of course the same argument could be applied to occupational testing, but don’t think it is.

Note that I am not endorsing Qld’s silly position. I agree that it sucks.

cheers skip

 

[N860CR]

As an overpaid underworked prima donna in the public health system I object.

You seem to be one of those taking an intelligent, pragmatic approach.

While there have certainly been costs that I will not attempt to understate, the fact I don't know anyone in Australia who has died from Covid - let alone had covid - is something I am grateful for.

Yet we’re in the middle of a “once in a century global pandemic”. Doesn’t quite add up.

 

[justinbrett]

In each capital city there are labs open 7 days, e.g. SYD airport, MURRARRIE IN Brisbane, although not all test sites are. SYD is open till 8 pm Xmas eve.
Some public holidays are a problem, and have been throughout the pandemic As well as other problems. My last trip collection window was about 24 hours, not 72 because of destination requirement. I had to fly to SYD because couldn’t meet the test window flying out of BNE.

I suspect the argument is that it is travel testing, so not illness related. Same as paying (a lot) to visit a travel doctor. Of course the same argument could be applied to occupational testing, but don’t think it is.

Note that I am not endorsing Qld’s silly position. I agree that it sucks.

cheers skip

It’s up to NSW whether they want to allow their sites to be used for travel testing, not QLD. It’s got nothing to do with them.

The only thing it comes down to is documentation - the actual test is the same. Showing the text should be enough.

 

[Lynda2475]

I suspect the argument is that it is travel testing, so not illness related

Being symptomatic or a close or casual contact has never been a requirement for free testing in NSW. If you are a close contact they prioritise your results, but they dont turn you away if you just want a test.

A round trip uber t airport and back 3 days before actually flying plus cost of private lab testing seems excessive requirement. A RAT at airport before departure fine, im already there, but why shouldnt i be able to go tot he nearest test site 4 blocks from my home and get a freebie since its completely pointless test anyway.

It’s up to NSW whether they want to allow their sites to be used for travel testing, not QLD. It’s got nothing to do with them.

Youd think but Qld is on record saying they wont accept a text from NSW health as proof of negative test, this needs to change.

 

[Pushka]

Being symptomatic or a close or casual contact has never been a requirement for free testing in NSW. If you are a close contact they prioritise your results, but they dont turn you away if you just want a test.

A round trip uber t airport and back 3 days before actually flying plus cost of private lab testing seems excessive requirement. A RAT at airport before departure fine, im already there, but why shouldnt i be able to go tot he nearest test site 4 blocks from my home and get a freebie since its completely pointless test anyway.



Youd think but Qld is on record saying they wont accept a text from NSW health as proof of negative test, this needs to change.

I've been directed to have two tests, simply because I shopped at a large Big W and another store at the same time as a positive. No symptoms. I have been proactive and also tested with symptoms. Never needed any reason to have a test in SA but they do ask at the time. I'd certainly not expect to pay for a test to travel within Australia.

SA Pol is a public FB forum so everyone's name is publically viewable to anyone so no breach of confidentiality here. I saw this post last night when SAPOL closed the NT border. Needless to say the comments have been hilarious. This morning they have stopped comments. It also seems I can't make a comment but I swear I didn't swear.

 

[Cddc]

The plot thickens re: QLD accepting state text results, "So as long as people can upload a screenshot of that text message, the system will accept that, but of course we are doing random audits and we will check people and we will make sure that everyone's doing the right thing," 'Expect to get checked': Police warn people flying into Queensland from COVID hotspots