As COVID-19 outbreaks continue, emerge or wane across the country, states and territories have shut borders and introduced travel restrictions, though some jurisdictions are easing health directions as vaccination rates climb. So what does this mean for Canberrans wanting to travel?

Travel to and from the ACT is now open, and from 11.59pm, 15 December, except for close contacts of interstate cases, there will no longer be any restrictions on interstate travel to the ACT.

People will no longer need to fill out a declaration or exemption form to travel to the ACT, and all remaining high risk geographical areas will be removed. Close contacts must follow the advice on the ACT Health COVID-19 website, and this may include seeking an exemption to enter the ACT.

The three-day quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated overseas arrivals will be retained, and this is likely to remain over the Christmas and New Year period.

However, the additional requirement to undertake 14 days hotel quarantine for fully vaccinated arrivals who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and/or Malawi during the 14 days prior to arrival will be removed.

Fully vaccinated travellers from these countries will now only need to quarantine for three days, in line with other international arrivals.

Unvaccinated international arrivals will continue to need to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period at their port of entry.

Omicron close contact requirements

Close contacts of Omicron variant cases will now be required to follow the same quarantine requirements as all other close contacts of COVID-19 cases in the ACT.

This means that fully vaccinated close contacts of Omicron cases will now only need to quarantine for seven days from their last exposure and follow ACT Health guidance about movement in the community for days 8-14 post-exposure.

In addition, household secondary contacts of Omicron close contacts will no longer be required to quarantine as secondary contacts

Testing requirements for close contacts have not changed – with tests required on entry into quarantine, day 6 and day 13.

Unvaccinated close contacts will continue to be required to undertake 14 days of quarantine.

Here are the current ACT travel restrictions in place for the rest of Australia.

* NOTE: For domestic travel, the ACT Government considers you are considered ‘fully vaccinated’ if:

• At least 14 days have passed since you have received the the recommended schedule of doses required for a complete course of a TGA approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccination, or
• You have a medical contraindication certificate issued to you, or
• You have a medical contraindication certificate recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register that prevents you from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

New South Wales

Travel to and from the ACT and NSW is open (although entry to NSW venues is subject to vaccination status). Any travel restrictions only apply to those who are close contacts of interstate cases.

From 11.59pm 15 December 2021, people will no longer need to fill out a declaration or exemption form to travel to the ACT, and all remaining high risk geographical areas will be removed.

Close contacts must follow the advice on the ACT Health COVID-19 website, and this may include seeking an exemption to enter the ACT.

Victoria

Travel between the ACT and Victoria is open. As with NSW (see above), any travel restrictions only apply to those who are close contacts of interstate cases.

From 11.59pm 15 December 2021, people will no longer need to fill out a declaration or exemption form to travel to the ACT, and all remaining high risk geographical areas will be removed.

Close contacts must follow the advice on the ACT Health COVID-19 website, and this may include seeking an exemption to enter the ACT.

Queensland

As of 1am Monday 13 December, Queensland border restrictions have eased further, following the state achieving 80% of the eligible population double vaccinated.

Queensland continues to declare the ACT and Jervis Bay territory as ‘COVID-19 hotspots’. Prior to 13 December, fully vaccinated ACT residents arriving in Queensland by air at Brisbane airport may be eligible to quarantine at their home or another nominated private residence in Queensland.

After 1am on 13 December, ACT residents may travel to Queensland if you: are fully vaccinated, have a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival into Queensland, and agree to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 5 following your arrival. You may arrive by air or road. There is no quarantine required if you meet these criteria.

Western Australia

WA is in a controlled border arrangement, which does not allow travellers to enter WA from medium, high or extreme risk jurisdictions without an approval through G2G Pass. 

Travel from the ACT is not permitted, unless you are an approved traveller.

There are no restrictions on travellers from WA to the ACT. Find details here.

Northern Territory

All of the ACT (along with NSW, Victoria and SA) is considered a red zone for the purpose of travel to the Northern Territory. Entry to the NT is strictly prohibited from the ACT without a prior approved exemption. NT residents who have been in the ACT are permitted to return to the NT. Find more information here.

For travellers from NT entering the ACT, health directions apply if you have been at an exposure location (there is one in Katherine, NT).

South Australia

South Australia has opened its borders to vaccinated travellers. If you are travelling to South Australia from interstate, you must complete an EntryCheck SA application. Depending on where you are travelling from and your level of risk, you may need to complete quarantine, testing and symptom check requirements using HealthCheck SA.

If you are an unvaccinated traveller and do not have an approved medical exemption, you are not permitted to travel to South Australia. Exemptions will be considered for select reasons (i.e. funerals, end-of-life visits). Applications for an exemption are made as an extension of your EntryCheck SA application. If your exemption is approved, you will be advised of your quarantine and testing requirements.

For travellers from SA entering the ACT, health directions apply if you have been at an exposure location (there are several across Adelaide, Robe and Victor Harbor).

Tasmania

Tasmania considers the ACT a high-risk level 2 zone with some premises high-risk level 1. High-risk areas can require either quarantine in a government-managed quarantine facility (level 1) or a suitable premises (level 2). Find more details here.

There are no restrictions on travellers from Tasmania entering the ACT.

The ACT Government’s COVID-19 website has all the details on travel advice and requirements for the ACT.

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