Category: international travel

Over 50,000 People Call for Australia to Lift Travel Restrictions for Temporary Visa Holders

Migrants in Australia on temporary visas are calling on the government to remove “discriminatory” restrictions on them returning to the country, with a petition signed by over 50,000 people. New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria have opened international travel to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members who are fully…


US Reopens to Vaccinated International Travelers After Nearly 20 Months of Closed Borders

After nearly 20 months of closed borders, the United States on Monday reopened to international travel, welcoming vaccinated Europeans and others who had been unable to enter the country due to COVID-19 restrictions. American citizens and permanent residents were always allowed to enter the United States, but the COVID-19 travel restrictions grounded tourists, thwarted business…


US Lifts COVID-19 Travel Bans, LAX Preparing for International Travel Surge

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is preparing for a surge in international travelers, after a pandemic ban that prohibited travelers from 33 countries from entering the U.S. has been lifted on Nov. 8. The federal government first restricted travel from Europe in March 2020 over concerns about the coronavirus, followed by travel bans for other countries. On Monday, restrictions…


Federal Minister Contradicts Queensland Minister on Health Guidelines

Australia’s federal health department has contradicted a state health minister who said her state would not halve quarantine to seven days until there was a change in federal guidelines. From Nov. 1, states and territories began lifting COVID-19 restrictions on international and domestic travel in line with a national plan. But Queensland has opted instead…


Hong Kong to Tighten COVID-19 Rules, Hopes China Reopens

HONG KONG—Hong Kong will tighten COVID-19 restrictions despite a lack of local outbreaks to better align with China’s policies and increase chances of quarantine-free travel between the territory and mainland, leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday. It will step up contact tracing, such as requiring the use of its LeaveHomeSafe app in government premises to record…


Biden Administration Announces Vaccine Rules For Travelers Into US

The Biden administration is rolling out new vaccine requirements for international travelers coming into the U.S. Starting Nov. 8, three new orders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be put into place, according to a senior administration official. The first requires non-U.S. citizens travelling into the country, who are not immigrants, to…


International Travel As Incentive for Vaccination in Australia

The restart of international travel for Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) is now being used as an incentive to encourage vaccination rates in other jurisdictions that are falling behind around Australia. Victoria, as of Friday, has joined New South Wales in allowing quarantine-free arrivals from overseas, with the federal government opening borders on Nov….


Australia to Open International Border to the World Again

Australia will open its international border in November after 18 months of tough border restrictions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday the detailed plan to lift the international travel ban. States and territories will reopen at varying rates, depending on when they hit the 80 percent double-dose vaccination goal. New South Wales (NSW) is likely to…


Australians May Have Option to Home Quarantine by Christmas: Expert

Former health chief Jane Halton is optimistic that Australia will have a home quarantine system in place by Christmas when international borders open, which would save returning Australians a significant amount of expenses. Halton, who is also leading the second review into Australia’s quarantine system, said once the 80 percent COVID-19 vaccination threshold is hit,…


Qantas to Ban Unvaccinated Passengers for International Flights

Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas, Australia’s major airline and international carrier, has confirmed that the company will only allow fully vaccinated people to board international flights as Australia prepares to reopen its border by Christmas. Speaking at the Trans-Tasman Business Circle on Sept. 7, Joyce said the airline would adopt a policy of requiring…