What Defines Essential Travel?

jakeseven7

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Lots of livelihoods destroyed in the process, I feel really sad for every single one of those employees who lose their jobs right now when there is virtually no chance to finding something half way acceptable any time soon. And we on here (myself included) are whinging about not being able to go on our holidays :(

Flip this though, the people whinging we can't go on holidays, means there is still pent up demand for travel! So once the border restrictions are lifted the recovery for the airline industry can really begin and more people can regain their jobs.
 
Flip this though, the people whinging we can't go on holidays, means there is still pent up demand for travel! So once the border restrictions are lifted the recovery for the airline industry can really begin and more people can regain their jobs.
I'm whinging because others can't go holidays or attend a conference.
Means a lack of jobs for me. o_O ;)
 
Flip this though, the people whinging we can't go on holidays, means there is still pent up demand for travel! So once the border restrictions are lifted the recovery for the airline industry can really begin and more people can regain their jobs.

Good point. I'll spend at least 10k on air travel on the day Scomo and Jacinda make an announcement.
 
Flip this though, the people whinging we can't go on holidays...

I'm only whinging because of the suggestion that somehow business travel might get an exemption. Front line workers stuck at home while a cosmetic surgeon can attend a 'business conference' in the Bahamas. No thank you.
 
I'm only whinging because of the suggestion that somehow business travel might get an exemption. Front line workers stuck at home while a cosmetic surgeon can attend a 'business conference' in the Bahamas. No thank you.

You seem to think business travel is all beer and skittles. I'm actually enjoying an extended break from work related travel. My typical schedule on business travel would be 7am - emails catch up, 8am start (often a drive of an hour or so) , work through until returning to hotel by about 7pm (if no dinner arrangements), if dinner arrangements, then back to hotel at maybe 9-10pm, 2-3 hours catching up on emails etc and throw in a conference call or two at some point during the day or evening and then it all starts again the next day. If only it were a 'business conference' in the Bahamas!!

Not that I would be allowed to undertake business travel, like many MNCs, employee safety considerations are paramount mean that any travel - even domestic - must be business critical and approved by a direct report to the CEO, regardless of where based whether Singapore (like I usually am), Sydney, Shanghai or San Francisco.
 
I'm only whinging because of the suggestion that somehow business travel might get an exemption. Front line workers stuck at home while a cosmetic surgeon can attend a 'business conference' in the Bahamas. No thank you.

That sort of travel described would be against TGA guidelines, you should really report that :rolleyes:
 
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Not that I would be allowed to undertake business travel, like many MNCs, employee safety considerations are paramount mean that any travel - even domestic - must be business critical and approved by a direct report to the CEO, regardless of where based whether Singapore (like I usually am), Sydney, Shanghai or San Francisco.

Do all your locations start with "S" ;)
 
I'm only whinging because of the suggestion that somehow business travel might get an exemption. Front line workers stuck at home while a cosmetic surgeon can attend a 'business conference' in the Bahamas. No thank you.
If there were still face to face medical conferences being held anywhere in the world at the moment I would have a few more job offers.
They are just not happening.
 
You seem to think business travel is all beer and skittles.

In the current environment of lockdowns, allowing travel overseas is a break from the restrictions, and a change of scenery.

If business travel means essential/emergency services workers, that's fine. If it means a visit to a trade fair... maybe not so much?
 
In the current environment of lockdowns, allowing travel overseas is a break from the restrictions, and a change of scenery.

If business travel means essential/emergency services workers, that's fine. If it means a visit to a trade fair... maybe not so much?

There a whole stack of different reasons for business travel, what defines essential? I had a colleague who (some years ago now) who used to travel from Melbourne to visit various parts of in Asia regularly spending two weeks conducting environmental and safety inspections of sites to help improve performance and reduce risks. Is that an essential worker? Probably not. Is it something that could save injuries and lives?

It's difficult to make that judgement. I assume companies are making that judgement themselves before applying, as it does seem quite costly, given the quarantine and insurance costs that are required to be borne. I suspect very few, if any companies (perhaps other than self-owned ones) would be sending their staff on "junkets" at this time.
 
In Victoria there's only 4 reasons for essential travel:
- Work/Study
- Exercise
- Giving or Receiving Care
- Getting essentials
But how about moving home or attending a health appointment?
 
In Victoria there's only 4 reasons for essential travel:
- Work/Study
- Exercise
- Giving or Receiving Care
- Getting essentials
But how about moving home or attending a health appointment?

I think this thread was originally about essential international travel. Those reasons don't cut it in the context of international travel!

But attending a health appointment is almost certainly "receiving care" and moving home under the previous order was allowed, and recognises that people do move homes.
 
There a whole stack of different reasons for business travel, what defines essential? I had a colleague who (some years ago now) who used to travel from Melbourne to visit various parts of in Asia regularly spending two weeks conducting environmental and safety inspections of sites to help improve performance and reduce risks. Is that an essential worker? Probably not. Is it something that could save injuries and lives?

It's difficult to make that judgement. I assume companies are making that judgement themselves before applying, as it does seem quite costly, given the quarantine and insurance costs that are required to be borne. I suspect very few, if any companies (perhaps other than self-owned ones) would be sending their staff on "junkets" at this time.

Just found this thread after it had been hived off from the original.)

So I did a google search for 'business travel'. TMC website: What Is Business Travel? Typical Reasons For Work Travel | TMC Finder lists the main reasons for undertaking business travel:

What are the main reasons for business travel?
• Networking. A handshake followed by a face-to-face chat is still the best way to meet and get to know someone – much better than Skype calls or reading dozens of emails and text messages. You may also want to personally show your leadership skills.​
• Examples & samples. You may need to take examples or samples of your work or see examples or samples of something you’re considering investing in. Explaining something – such as a product or service you offer – while with someone and actually seeing they understand is much better than any other way.​
• Be personal. You want to meet suppliers, customers or clients to take them for drinks and a meal and personally give them a gift as a way of showing your gratitude. You want to show them that they are worth the time that it takes to make a personal visit.​
• Check conditions. You prefer to visit suppliers to see everything looks fine. For example, someone having T-shirts made wants to see the conditions for workers are good. Or you are supplied food products and want to see where it grows and the facilities where it’s produced and packaged. These conditions can never be properly assessed through a flat screen.​
• Location location location. Your company may have offices in various locations and it’s helpful to visit so you know the environment. Or you may need to inspect something for work purposes, such as a plot of land you’re interested in.​
• Attending meetings and events. You need to attend a meeting, lecture, exhibition or show that’s relevant to your business.​
• Search the world. You want to look for or confirm new products are right for your business. You want to meet potential new suppliers or employees.​
• Doing a deal. Business advisers Oxford Economics discovered through research that potential customers are nearly twice as likely to sign with you if you have a face-to-face meeting. So it’s definitely worth making that trip to see them.​
• Incentives. These trips are to motivate employees, and involve such as going on team-building weekends – which although might involve a leisure event are essentially for business purposes.​
To me, most of those things on the list - in the current environment where we're all supposed to be in this together - could either be postponed or done via remote channels.​

And there will be people taking advantage of a 'business travel' exemption to do some of the things on that list.

The example you provided - doing a site inspection for safety, or perhaps others like delivering aid/medical assistance, or flying to the US to help firefighters... I wouldn't consider that 'business' but essential services.

So maybe it's just the way the government is phrasing it.
 
In Victoria there's only 4 reasons for essential travel:
- Work/Study
- Exercise
- Giving or Receiving Care
- Getting essentials
But how about moving home or attending a health appointment?
And moving house is an essential - removalists are exempt. Have a cardiologist checkup today which is essential as well. OTT I'm sorry
 

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