Where can I go once the latest border rules shake-up takes effect?

For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

COVID-19 travel restrictions in Australia’s south-east are due for another shake-up on Friday when Victoria takes the next step on its path to reopening, but the move will have implications far beyond its borders.

There will be different rules for travellers from different jurisdictions, or “transitional anomalies” as Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley described them.

So, where can you go from 11.59pm on Thursday?

I live in metropolitan Melbourne. What are my travel options from Friday?

Still very limited. You can travel up to 25 kilometres from your home, but not outside the state government-imposed city limits. You will be free to roam the rest of the state from early November, when the all-important 80 per cent double-vaccination rate for those aged over 16 is reached. Your interstate options are looking better, with travel possible to both regional NSW and Sydney. But you’ll have to stay in lockdown for 14 days once you get there, going out only for food, exercise and other essential purposes.

If you want to head to Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory or the ACT for “non-essential” purposes, you can apply for a permit from the destination state or territory government, but your chances are slim.

I live in regional Victoria. Where can I go after Thursday?

You’ll be locked out of Melbourne until intrastate travel begins again in early November. If you live in a NSW or South Australian border bubble, some cross-border travel is available but strictly limited. Outside the bubble, you can travel to regional NSW or Sydney if you are prepared to accept a 14-day lockdown.

However, remember you cannot travel between the state capital – including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast and Shellharbour – and the rest of NSW until November 1 when the metro/country divide comes down. You are still not welcome in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory or the ACT if your trip is deemed non-essential.

I am in metro Sydney. What are my options?

You can go to either Melbourne or regional Victoria from Wednesday if you’re fully vaccinated and will isolate and get tested within 72 hours of arrival.

You could go to Canberra if you’re prepared to undergo 14 days quarantine when you get there. From November 1, you’ll be free to get out to the rest of your state if you’re fully vaccinated. But the borders of Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory remain closed to you.

I live in regional NSW. Where can I go?

You are still shut out of metro Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast and Shellharbour, but you will be allowed back in from November 1 if you’re double-vaxxed. You can travel from “orange zones” of regional NSW to Victoria, if you’re fully vaxxed with no isolation or quarantine requirements.

But if you are in a regional or rural area that has been designated a “red zone” by Victorian authorities, you must isolate for 72 hours on arrival and get tested. A trip to Canberra will entail a 14-day period of quarantine, and you are still not allowed to travel to Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Where can I travel to from Canberra?

You can go into either regional NSW or Sydney – but not between the two – with no bureaucracy, and you can take a trip to either Melbourne or regional Victoria – again, you’ll have to choose which one – if you are fully vaccinated. But you remain shut out of Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

What about Queenslanders?

Residents of Brisbane and regional NSW, have options to travel around the south-east of the country, but it’s being allowed back into their home state, at least until mid-November, that will cause troubles. Travellers from the sunshine state can go to regional Victoria, metro Sydney, country NSW, Melbourne and Canberra with little or no impediment. But their home state will not begin to allow travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT back in until November 19 and there will be strict rules on vaccinations, isolation and testing when the border begins to open.

In better news, you are good to go to Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Stay across the most crucial developments related to the pandemic with the Coronavirus Update. Sign up for the weekly newsletter.

Most Viewed in National

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Amazon DOUBLES joining bonus to £3,000 in fight for Christmas workers
Next post Facebook announces 10,000 EU jobs to build 'metaverse'