New measures will protect Australians from COVID-19 on all flights

Australia’s national cabinet has announced new measures to protect Australians from COVID-19 on domestic and international flights and in airports.

International passenger caps in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia will be halved temporarily.

For the short term, the flow of returning Australians and other international travellers who have potentially been exposed to new strains of coronavirus from the UK and South Africa will be restricted.

International passenger caps in Victoria and South Australia as well as the Northern Territory are currently considered manageable and will remain as they are, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

International passenger caps will be reviewed in early February.

The Cabinet also adopted many in-flight and in-airport measures recommended by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

Australians and other travellers turning from overseas to Australia must submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure.

International air crew will need COVID tests every seven days or on arrival in Australia and must continue to quarantine in dedicated quarantine facilities between international flights or for 14 days.

They’ll also only be able to reposition for an outgoing international flight on a crew-only flight.

All passengers and air crew on all international and domestic flights must wear masks onboard and in airports. Children 12 and under, or those with particular exemptions, will be excused from wearing masks.

“These measures will also be applied to government-facilitated commercial flights, which already have in place strong mitigating measures for passengers and facilities,” said the PM.

Are you happy with these new measures? What other measures would you like to see introduced?

If you enjoy our content, don’t keep it to yourself. Share our free eNews with your friends and encourage them to sign up.Related articles:
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Written by Leon Della Bosca

Publisher of YourLifeChoices – Australia's most-trusted and longest-running retirement website. A trusted voice on Australia's retirement landscape, including retirement income and planning, government entitlements, lifestyle and news and information relevant to Australians over 50. Leon has worked in publishing for more than 25 years and is also a travel writer and editor, graphic designer and photographer.

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