COVID-19 Travel Update for Doctors

What are the latest Australian border restrictions?

First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued healthcare support in all Australian communities.

Advice for traveling between Australia’s States and Territories is ever-changing; as this complex situation evolves. Therefore, the advice set out below is subject to change. So, stay informed, by checking the Government Website or speak with your Recruitment Consultant, for the most up-to-date travel advice.

Here is what we know at this time.

If you are a doctor and are looking for international travel advice please follow this link.

Many Australian states and territories closed their borders to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, with some now tentatively beginning to re-open. However, if you need to travel interstate to work, we recommend checking the Government Website before traveling.

You will need to take the following with you when you travel:

• Your current ID
• Evidence of your AHPRA registration
• A printed copy of your Job Confirmation Letter with the relevant hospital contact information
• A copy of the Hospital Locum Contract
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• A printed copy of any relevant border pass information or self-quarantine exemption decisions (State by State requirements)
• Be advised that you may need to undergo a risk assessment on arrival at your destination. All-State and Territory Health Boards, hospitals, and practices will update their advice and policies regularly so please keep yourself informed.

Border restrictions and self-isolation information by State

ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA

ACT – Canberra

You are advised not to travel to the Northern Beaches area of Sydney.

SA

Please immediately quarantine for 14 days, and get a COVID-19 test if you have visited NSW on or since Friday 11th of December.

However, the border remains open to all travellers.

See this link for Current NSW Hotspots and this link for SA hotspots:

For updates, see: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/community/travel

NSW

The border remains open to all travellers, even those from New Zealand – no permit needed; this does not include travellers from SA though who are not permitted to cross the NSW border.

If you have been in SA in the last 14 days and wish to travel into NSW please complete an entry declaration.

*Please be aware if you reside in the NSW area and have travelled to an area of concern you are required to self-isolate for 14 days and get tested*

You can travel through NSW even if you have been in an area of concern; Only if you are traveling through and are not stopping in NSW

Entry from South Australia

Updated information: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions/guide

NT

As of Friday 18th December, the Northern Beaches LGA of Sydney has travel restrictions – Anyone traveling to NT from the NSW or the Northern Beaches must self-isolate for 14 days either in Alice Springs or Darwin.

The border remains open, but anyone traveling to the NT must complete a border entry form.

Google map current hotspots – https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine

QLD

If you are traveling to Queensland you must fill in a Queensland border declaration pass. The border is open to all states except certain parts of SA and NSW Northern Beaches which are now COVID hotspots!

However, if you have been in Sydney’s Northern Beaches region on or since Friday, December 11, having arrived after 1:00 am on Saturday you must quarantine in a Government approved hotel at your own expense ($2800) for 14 days before being allowed to move around QLD. This includes Queenslanders and visitors to Queensland.

Current Hotspots are: 20 South Australian LGAs

For updates on current hot-spots visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions/border-restrictions-8-aug-2020

You may enter the Queensland hotspot by air.

Currently, you may not need to quarantine if you are

• Visiting Queensland for an *essential activity*
• Have arrived by air and are waiting for a connecting flight; if this will involve a short stay, it must be under the quarantine guidelines.
• Excluding arrivals at Melbourne and Tullamarine airport; you can transition through the airport from a COVID-19 hotspot.
• If you can prove you have completed the mandatory 14 days hotel quarantine unless you flew out of Melbourne Tullamarine airport or are a border zone resident and have not been in a hotspot in the last 14 days.

*What are the essential activities? Specialist health workers approved by the Chief Health Officer are exempt; this refers to doctors that have been to enter a state by the State DoH*

SA

You must fill-in a Cross-Border Travel Registration 14 days before you leave SA regardless of where you have been or are going to.

Updates, ae available from https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions#restrictions

TAS

Anyone from the Northern Beaches LGA of Sydney, NSW on, or since Friday, December 11 can’t enter Tasmania

Low-risk areas

• Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia (some high-risk exemptions)
• Victoria
• Western Australia
• New Zealand

Anyone that has been in one of the above low-risk areas for the last 14 days before arriving in Tasmania will not need to quarantine.

You will need to register your travel and contact details via the Tas e-Travel system a maximum of three (3) before you arrive in Tasmania.

Areas declared by Public Health as high risk are – Full-list

• Overseas (other than New Zealand)
• Cruise ships

If you have spent time in a high-risk area 14 days before travel, must quarantine for 14 days in a Government approved accommodation – fees may apply.

If you have been on a cruise ship in the last 28days before traveling to Tasmania, you must quarantine for 14days in a Government approved accommodation unless you can prove:

You have evidence to prove you have already quarantined for 14 days in a Government approved accommodation.

You have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken on or after day 10 of arriving in Australia.

And you can prove you have come directly from either the airport or seaport to Tasmania, having stopped no-where else (other than a low-risk area)

There are some exemptions: If you are traveling for vital work, health, or compassionate reasons, or another specified reason, you can apply to enter the State via the G2G PASS system.

For more information: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania

VIC

The border remains open to all, but you will need a Victorian Border Crossing Permit. This permit will be issued depending on the areas you visited or travelled through in South Australia.

Areas categorized as green, orange, and red zones. See below

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/south-australian-border-permit

WA

As of Friday 18 December anyone arriving from NSW will have to self-isolate for 14 days in a suitable location and will need to take a COVID-19 test on day 11 of their quarantine.

Interstate travel is permitted but depends on where you have been and who you have been in contact with 14 days before traveling.

Anyone entering WA must apply for an exemption certificate G2G PASS.

Definitions

Very low-risk states and territories

• (No community cases in 28 days)
• Not required to quarantine
• Currently include TAS, QLD, ACT, NT, NSW, and VIC.
• Low-risk states and territories – No States are low risk.
• (Less than five community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average)
• Must self-quarantine for 14 days in suitable premises
• Must take for a COVID-19 test on Day 11 if still in WA
• Medium risk states and territories
• Expected to self-quarantine for 14 days in suitable premises
• must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival and on day 11 of quarantine
• Must wear a face mask until arriving at suitable self-quarantine premises or Government approved quarantine facility.
• Includes SA
• International arrivals
• Must quarantine in a hotel for 14 days at own expense
• Must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival and on day 12 of quarantine.