COVID-19: Reduced international arrivals into Australia. masks mandated for domestic and international flights

The discovery of community transmission in Brisbane of the UK 70% more contagious mutant strain of COVID-19 has precipitated a range of new preventative initiatives approved by national cabinet yesterday (Friday8 January)

New Measures

• Mask wearing on all domestic and international flights in Australia are now mandatory subject to a fine for non-compliance
• Travellers to Australia must now return a negative COVID-19 tet before they board their plane
• Mask wearing at Airports is now mandated
• Fight Crew will be tested on arrival
• Cleaners, drivers, medical and other staff connected to the quarantine process will be tested daily
• Capacity limits on returning travellers to Australia via NSW, Western Australia and Queensland have been halved until February 15

Repatriation flights from overseas to the Howard Springs quarantine facility outside of Darwin, will continue.

Capacity reductions

The reduction in capacity limits on flights into the country will affect the estimated 38,000 people registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wishing to return to Australia. The reduction is to assist with the control of he outbreak of the new and more contagious strain discovered in Brisbane, which precipitated a 3 day lockdown of the city.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

To everything but the reduction in returning Australians – about time.

Limiting returning Australians is an unfortunate but necessary consequence of the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Australia.