Covid 19 Restrictions being lifted and how they effect travellers and campers
Interpreting the ‘Steps to the New Normal’ for Campers and Travellers.
The Australian Federal, State and Territory Governments have endeavoured to develop a somewhat shared understanding on what the next stages (or steps) will be to opening up Australia post the COVID-19 shut downs and isolation measures.
However, in a true federalist model, the national government has outlined its expectations and overall touch points, while the individual states and territories have inserted the details, added steps, taken backward and sideways steps and applied their own unique interpretation at the local level. These differing approaches reflect their respective ideological and unique medical advice and circumstances – as well as trends in the other states and territories.
So, where I first started my rolling summary with a table that reflected the initial Three Step approach, I have now moved to simply summarising the advice provided on respective government websites and updated these as events and policies unfold. As is appropriate to this website, this advice focuses on camping and travel related matters.
Naturally, dates, numbers, levels of restrictions and their application can be amended at any time by any of the authorities. So, keep an eye on the offical government sources and keep safe.
Australian Travel Arrangements Under COVID-19 Restrictions
As at: 1 August 2020
Sources: Respective state and territory government websites as primary – media sources where relevant.
Note: This advice is provided as a summary guide only. All information should be checked with the relevant government sources and advice sought in regard to your personal situation.
Queensland
- Entry into Queensland is temporarily prohibited unless the travel is exempt under the Chief Health Officer’s “Border Restrictions Direction”
- Only Queensland residents, residents of border communities undertaking essential activities and those considered an ‘exempt person’ are allowed to enter Queensland via air, sea, rail or road from another State or Territory.
- People intending to travel across the border are encouraged to apply for a “Queensland Entry Pass” to avoid delays at the border
- A separate application is required for each individual, including children, and all travellers in your party must be eligible for an exemption
- Anyone who has been to Campbelltown City or Liverpool City, NSW, in the previous 14 days will not be permitted to enter Queensland
- From 1:00 am Monday 27 July, anyone who has been to Fairfield City, NSW, in the previous 14 days will not be permitted to enter Queensland
- Greater Sydney has been declared a Hot Spot – effective 1:00am 1 August 2020
- Anyone who has been to any Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the State of Victoria on the last 14 days will not be permitted to enter Queensland
- Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in government provided accommodation at their expense
New South Wales
- There is no limit on the distance that a person may travel
- You can go on holiday to anywhere in regional NSW
- Overnight stays are NOT prohibited
- In NSW you do not need to quarantine or self-isolate if you have travelled interstate
- In line with the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), NSW Health strongly discourages travel to and from areas of Victoria with COVID-19 outbreaks until control of community transmission has been confirmed
- A person who has been in a hotspot location within the last 14 days must not travel to NSW unless they are a NSW resident or they are entering NSW to obtaining medical or other care, to fulfil a legal obligation or give effect to a Court order, or to provide an essential service
- If a person who has been in a hotspot location within the last 14 days is already in NSW, they must self-isolate for 14 days from the time they were last in a COVID hotspot location
Australian Capital Territory
- Carefully consider the need to travel outside of the Canberra region
- Canberrans can visit NSW for a holiday
- Interstate visitors to the ACT should carefully consider the need to travel to the Canberra region
Victoria
- Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions from 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020
- If you live in one of these areas, there will once again only be 4 reasons to leave home, namely 1. Shopping for food and supplies; 2. Medical care and caregiving; 3. Exercise and recreation; and 4. Study and work – if you can’t do it from home
- There will only be 3 reasons to cross the border of these metropolitan areas, namely 1. Shopping for food and supplies; 2. Medical care and caregiving; and 3. Study and work – if you can’t do it from home
- If you live outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, there are only three reasons to enter, namely 1. Shopping for food and supplies; 2. Medical care and caregiving; and 3. Study or work – if you can’t do it from home
- Restrictions will be in place until 11:59 on Wednesday 19 August 2020
- The Victorian border with New South Wales closed from Wednesday 8 July 2020
- The closure will be enforced on the New South Wales side, so as not to be a drain on Victorian resources
- There will be a permit system in place for people who need to travel into NSW
Tasmania
- Requirements for people arriving in Tasmania are in place to quarantine
- From 31 July 2020, there is mandatory testing, including a health check for symptoms, of all essential travellers from Victoria or determined hot-spots, in NSW and Queensland
- From 31 July 2020, (if you travel by air), or 1 August 2020 (if you travel by sea), all non-Tasmanian and Tasmanian residents who are required to stay in mandatory government-designated hotel quarantine, will do so at their own expense, except in cases of extreme hardship.
South Australia
- Travel within South Australia is largely unrestricted
- People are free to visit most regional areas, and travel within South Australia is a great way to support our regional communities and economies
- Border restrictions for people entering South Australia from Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia – Travellers entering South Australia directly from these states (including NT) are no longer required to quarantine for 14 days
- Travellers arriving from all other states and territories are still required to quarantine for 14 days
- People entering South Australia from NSW or VIC will be stopped by SA Police and will be required to identify a suitable place to self-quarantine for 14 days
Western Australia
- Travel is permitted throughout all regions within WA, except for entry into areas identified as remote Aboriginal communities
- Directions do not prevent a person from leaving Western Australia
- You cannot enter Western Australia without an exemption – Holidays are not an exempt category
- Entry to Western Australia in compassionate circumstances will still be subject to the person complying with a Direction to undertake a period of quarantine at a place determined by an authorised officer or to comply with any other terms and conditions which may be imposed
- Western Australian residents wishing to return home from domestic travel:
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- Before travelling, will need to apply for a “G2G PASS” to enter the State
- If their application is accepted, they will need to self-isolate for 14 days once back in Western Australia – Authorised officers will tell them where and how to self-isolate
Northern Territory
- You should reconsider all non-essential travel
- All arrivals, including Territory residents, will be screened
- If you are deemed a non-essential visitor, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days at a hotel in the nearest township – not a campsite with shared amenities
- If travelling with a pet, arrangements must be made to accommodate your pet prior to arriving in the NT and at your own expense
- All interstate arrivals are required to complete an online “Pre-arrival Border Crossing Application” form until 31 July
- If you are intending to travel to the Northern Territory from an identified coronavirus hotspot (areas in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria currently identifies) you are advised to cancel your plans
- If you are a Territorian intending to travel to a hotspot you are advised to cancel your plans
