International travel ban extended for Australian citizens and permanent residents

Most Australian citizens and permanent residents won’t be able to travel outside the country until mid-March next year as the government is extending emergency powers for another three months.

Australia's international border situation likely to change Source: Getty Images/davidf

Highlights

• Australia extends ban on outbound international travel till 17 March 2021
• Australian citizens and permanent residents are not permitted to leave the country without a travel exemption
• 'International world remains a challenging and dangerous environment': Health Minister Greg Hunt

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced that limits on outbound international travel and cruise ship arrivals are set to remain for an additional three months, under an extension to the biosecurity emergency period.

The emergency period, which has been in place since 18 March 2020, was due to expire on December 17 but is now instead set to cease on 17 March 2021. The limits on the operation of retail stores at international airports will also remain until the ban is lifted.

The move follows the advice of Australia’s expert medical panel – the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) that COVID-19 still posed a significant public health risk.

The proposed extension is expected to be formalised by the Governor-General later this week.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt Source: AAP

Announcing the decision, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the disease is spreading “as quickly as ever.”

"The international world remains a challenging and dangerous environment and Australia won't be fully safe until the international community is safe."

How will the extension impact outbound international travel?

The ongoing ban on outbound international travel has been a sticking point for many families including Hardip Narang’s who lost his younger brother in a road accident in Melbourne in September earlier this year.

Hardip Narang (L), his wife and parents (C) and late brother (R). Source: Supplied

The 35-year-old who had initially planned to join his grieving parents in India’s capital New Delhi after the unexpected tragedy rocked their lives has now instead applied for an inward exemption for his parents in the wake of the ongoing outbound travel ban on Australians and the suspension on commercial international flights between India and Australia.

“I first applied for an outbound exemption so I could carry out my brother’s post-death rituals alongside my elderly parents in India. But in the wake of the ongoing travel ban and absence of flights, we decided that it would be better to bring them here rather than me travelling outside Australia,” said Mr Narang.

“They have now thankfully been exempted and would be travelling to Australia as soon as we manage to book their seats -which is yet another challenge.”

Mr Narang is not alone. There are many families who missed out on important family occasions and could not attend births and much worse be with their loved ones when they suffered a bereavement.

'Australia's outbound travel ban is one of the strictest in the world'

As per the current travel restrictions, Australian citizens and permanent residents are not permitted to leave the country unless they apply for an exemption to the Australian Border Force and meet a strict criterion, barring a few exceptions.

Those wanting to travel can apply online but they must meet at least one of the following:

• travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid 
• travel is for your business/employer
• you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
• you are travelling outside Australia for three months or longer
• you are travelling on compassionate or humanitarian grounds 
• travel is in the national interest.

Click here to know more.

Passengers wearing face masks at London's Heathrow Airport. (Representational image). Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Matt Dunham

The ABF has so far granted 95,325 exemptions since the ban was first imposed in March - one of the strictest coronavirus public health responses in the world.

Migration agent Kamaldeep Singh who has applied for outward exemptions for many of his clients in the past few months said the ABF has set a “very high standard” as some of his clients have received multiple refusals despite citing medical treatment or death as reasons for wanting to travel.

“One of my clients lost a sibling while another lost his father both of whom were not permitted to travel. The department expects applicants to provide ample evidence but in some cases, it’s not possible to collect documents when the person is in a rush to travel.

“Also, they expect you to lodge a request at least two weeks before the intended travel date. But if there’s a death in the family, it’s impossible to apply in advance,” he said.

Mr Singh, however, added that “while the ban is strict on the surface, its contribution to Australia’s success in controlling the virus cannot be discounted.”

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Find out what restrictions are in place for your state or territory.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

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