Brizzie

Border closure between Victoria and NSW. Info if you have flights booked https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/nsw-victoria-border-qantas-virgin-flight-cancellations

Overseas flights into Sydney - new limits on numbers https://www.smh.com.au/national/federal-government-to-limit-overseas-arrivals-at-sydney-airport-20200704-p55901.html

We’re all booked now thanks Wanderer. Fingers crossed. Anyone flying Qatar, pls note the new ppe https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/face-shields-qatar-airways/index.html

Hi AliQ, we were told the same by Cathay for Aug just a couple of weeks back. I don’t know what to believe. I will look into it. Qatar seem to be the most reliable right now. Any other suggestions for direct into Brisbane are very welcome.

Haven’t been informed directly but seems our flights to Brisbane early August are cancelled (or were never happening at all despite them saying yesterday the flight was full!). Chat person on cx website this morning says 1st Sept is the earliest for Lhr to bne via hk. I wouldn’t put much hope in that at the moment.

People are selfish. From a recent survey of lockdown respondents “5.95 per cent said they went shopping for essential or non-essential items with COVID-19 symptoms” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-01/coronavirus-restrictions-comply-lockdown-second-time/12409134

More from a link at above website: You can apply to have all or part of the quarantine fee waived after you get the invoice. Once the quarantine fee invoice is issued you have 30 days to apply to have the amount waived Those eligible to apply for a fee waiver include: people who had a confirmed arrival date into Queensland before midnight on 17 June 2020, even if they arrive after 1 July 2020 people who are experiencing financial hardship people who are vulnerable. Financial hardship You may be eligible for a fee waiver under the grounds of financial hardship. You must be an Australian citizen or a Permanent resident to apply for this waiver. Eligibility is assessed against criteria including, but not exclusive to: An individual is unable to meet current financial obligations (e.g. home loan, immediate living expenses) Unemployment or on Jobkeeper/Jobseeker or another relevant Centrelink service or an Australia studying overseas Loss of a business entity, home or possessions due to COVID 19 or a natural disaster. When applying under this category you will be asked to provide: Citizenship/residency documentation Bank letter or statutory declaration Centrelink statement Other relevant documentation. e.g. bills, rate notices, debt agreements, family court documents regarding financial obligations, funeral expenses, notice of impending legal actions, international student fees and eviction notices. People who are vulnerable You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you (or someone you are quarantining with) are considered a vulnerable person. Eligibility is assessed against criteria including, but not exclusive to, persons who identify with the below: A child An individual aged 18 and above who may not be able to take care of themselves or is unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation by reason of age, illness, trauma, or disability or any other reason Persons 70 years and older Persons 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who is 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions. An individual who suffers from chronic medical conditions, immune system conditions and medical treatments that place a person at increased risk Mental health illness Refugee or humanitarian reasons Escaping domestic, family or sexual violence A carer for a person who may be considered as vulnerable Exceptional circumstances. When applying for a fee waiver under this category a range of documents may assist in assessing eligibility, including (but not exclusive to): birth certificate medical certificates/documentation visa status police order statutory declaration To apply for a quarantine fee waiver once you have received an invoice, complete the form here.

In case this is of help to anyone. From the Queensland government website What if I booked my flight before the announcement, do I still have to pay for the accommodation? If, before midnight on 17 June 2020, you had a confirmed arrival date into Queensland, even if you arrive on or after 1 July 2020, you will not be required to pay the quarantine accommodation fee. Conditions do apply and evidence will need to be supplied. You will still be required to quarantine in the government arranged accommodation for the duration and an invoice for your stay will be issued. Upon receipt of this invoice, you will need to submit a request for waiver supplying the required evidence. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/quarantine/overseas-travel-quarantine

Some info on covid19 testing, for overseas arrivals in each State https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-27/mandatory-hotel-quarantine-testing-in-australia-coronavirus/12400092

Thanks AliQ. Our previous flights were ba and qf via hk. Even though qf cancelled International flights, it was blood out of a stone for travel agent (or BA? not sure) to agree the flights were cancelled. They couldn’t deny it and we at least had some notice given after we chased. Travel agent trying to get refund from BA. Apparently. I don’t know if these new flights will go ahead. Fingers crossed for us all trying to get home, or to a new home.

We’ve booked early August on Cathay via HK. Hoping these won’t be cancelled.

When we go to Australia we don’t take any food items to make sure we don’t get held up and tick the ‘no food’ box honestly. I was unaware until now that there are some items you can bring in without declaring (inc coffee, tea, chocolate and other items, all must be in original sealed packaging, see link below for details). We may bring other declarable packaged snacks, just so we have some treats during quarantine. I’m posting this also for any families as I imagine it might help for kids to have their favourites. If you declare, they do usually ask to see what you have. But as the numbers of people going in will be small, it may not delay things much. And anyway who wants to rush being sent to quarantine?! Info here https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/goods-without-declaring Re the Guardian article, that was really helpful, thank you Marisa. I was told you couldn’t have deliveries of anything from anyone, perhaps it’s changed or varies state to state. I was hoping my friend could bring us a care package!

Thanks Tulip, v true and thank you. I believe if you have paid via credit card you can call the cc company and request a chargeback for service/goods paid for but not provided. That may be quicker especially with travel agents. I hope everyone remembers which companies did the right thing after all this is over.

Queensland charging for quarantine from July 1st. Other states expected to follow suit https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/australia-starts-making-travellers-pay-for-14-day-hotel-quarantine Qantas cancels almost all international flights to late October https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-cancels-almost-all-overseas-flights-through-to-late-october

Same here. They are legally obligated to refund if they cancel.

How much notice are airlines giving when they cancel? Our flights not available to buy tickets for any more but BA won’t/can’t tell me when/if they’ll cancel. I got an email telling me I can cancel and they’ll give me a voucher. Er, no.

Some info on what to expect for quarantine arrangements, from Australian government website for returning Australians, presumably the same for new residents. https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/while-youre-away/returning-australia Congrats to all with your booked flights and fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Safe travels everyone.

Hong Kong airport eases transit rules: you can now can transit "on flights operated by different airlines” - although those must still be on same itinerary and all boarding passes issued at start of journey. From 15 June apparently. check with your airline/agent/hkia website

From Australian Consulate London https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/CAOTA.html Current airlines apparently operating repatriation flights to Australia : ANA Emirates Airline Etihad Airways Qatar Airways I am unclear on transit regulations in Japan (ANA) will have another look later.

Thanks. Sounds like we are in an almost identical situation. We think we’ll go ahead with pack up and move out and just find temporary accommodation until we can get a flight. Then we’re free to grab it and go! It will work out somehow

Hi Ali, this is the problem. The airlines allow you to make a booking and then it’s all off. We booked BA before lockdown, through an agent who recently told us if it’s cancelled we get vouchers, which will be no good to us. This week they agreed to refund (in writing thankfully) but they could not say how much, if any, notice the airline will give if they cancel. I hope you have a good agent. I’ve been watching Aus govt’s info and registered for alerts from their smarttraveller hub. They have been giving info on repatriation flights, but said to leave ASAP. Early August is the earliest we can do. Hoping for some good luck!

Hoping this might be useful for others. This tweeted from Changi airport Singapore earlier regarding transit: “For now, transit flights are only for outbound journeys from selected cities in Australia and New Zealand via SIA group (SQ, MI and TR).” From this and info on SQ website, it appears that flights into Australian cities can not yet be via transit at Singapore. I hope this will change soon.

Thank you. I didn’t realise sq were flying into Bne atm. I will go and take a look. We had flights via hk which are still booked but will be (likely) cancelled by airline. Transit in hk at present is only if it’s the same airline all the way through and ours aren’t. But it all changes so fast! Thanks again. You too safe travels!

Hi AliQ Do you mind saying who you are flying with? We plan to go back to Brisbane first week Aug, we have flights that we know will be cancelled but want to book whatever’s available. Thank you for any advice