Australians will begin using an international vaccine passport within weeks to prove their immunisation status overseas and on their return as Prime Minister Scott Morrison flags home quarantine will be key to reopening borders.
Prime Minister Morrison is also asking state and territory leaders how they plan to integrate vaccination certificates into existing check-in apps and for their timelines on introducing home quarantine.
The Federal Government will start issuing international COVID-19 vaccination certificates from October and is also in talks with other countries to work out which vaccines will be recognised in international travel bubble arrangements.
The Australian vaccine passports for international travel will be available either on travellers’ phones or in printed form.
Prime Minister Morrison has previously promised overseas travel can resume more broadly when states reach the 80% full vaccination threshold.
However, with just 39% of the eligible population - or more than 8 million Australians aged 16 and over - are fully vaccinated, Prime Minister Morrison advised on Tuesday “home quarantine is where we go next. And the length of that quarantine also was what we’re looking at.”
Work is underway to enable people’s vaccination status to be linked to their passport chips, and in late July a plan was put to the federal cabinet for Australians to get an international vaccine certificate in the form of a QR code.
It would also use ‘visible digital seal’ technology backed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Currently, all travellers to Australia must undertake a mandatory two-week quarantine at their first port of arrival regardless of vaccination status, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, led by Australian Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, is reportedly considering the different quarantine options that could apply to vaccinated people entering Australia.
The USA allows people fully immunised with either US-approved jabs or vaccines authorised for emergency use by the World Health Organization, including the AstraZeneca vaccine, to self-monitor for symptoms and get tested a few days after entering the country. Those without recognised vaccines must quarantine for a week.
Earlier this week, NSW Digital Minister Victor Dominello announced the state would begin testing a seamless proof of vaccination and check-in process through the Service NSW app later this month.
Victoria is also considering proof of vaccination trial in regional areas, with Victoria’s Industry Support Minister Martin Pakula confirming the government is working to integrate the vaccination certificate with the Services Victoria app.
Prime Minister Morrison said using the QR-code apps to show proof of vaccination would be easy for people and businesses.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the national cabinet was having “detailed discussions” about streamlining proof of vaccination and QR code apps.
Credit: Joe Cusmano/Sydney Morning Herald.
Image: Joe Cusmano.
About the author
An experinced airline and travel industry professional, Joe has over 25 years international airline sales experience of which 18 have been in senior positions in Australia, North Africa and Europe, Middle East and Thailand.
Committed to sharing news and personal experiences, he explains that, post-COVID, "once I resume travelling with people that like me are nomads by nature and love to travel, (I will) provide you with as much advice and tips to make your travel experience a memorable one."
Click here to visit his website.
Read more from this author
Related Articles
9th September 2021 - Carlile Swimming mandates staff vaccination
9th September 2021 - Gyms, stadiums and recreation facilities to reopen to fully vaccinated adults as part of NSW’s new roadmap to ‘freedom’
8th September 2021 - Two Melbourne golf courses introduce vaccination policy
8th September 2021 - Tamworth Sports Dome to host vaccination hub
8th September 2021 - Humanforce offers hospitality sector a solution to help manage COVID-19 vaccination policies
8th September 2021 - Fitness Australia survey reveals NSW members against vaccine passports and staff vaccinations
7th September 2021 - Resort owner Dr Jerry Schwartz mandates hotel staff vaccination
6th September 2021 - 90% of aquatic facility owners, operators and staff heading towards becoming fully vaccinated
6th September 2021 - Leading entertainment promoters launch ‘Vax the Nation’ campaign
6th September 2021 - Tasmania’s MONA mandates staff vaccinations, reveals expansion plans
6th September 2021 - Abu Dhabi launches new process to verify international vaccination certificates
5th September 2021 - Calls for AFL fans to be banned from matches if they don’t have a COVID-19 vaccine
2nd September 2021 - Victorian Government to impose stricter rules for unvaccinated athletes at 2022 Australian Open
30th August 2021 - Major venues pivot to become mass vaccination centres
30th August 2021 - United Arab Emirates opens up to vaccinated visitors
29th August 2021 - What employers need to consider about vaccinations for staff and consumers
26th August 2021 - National Cabinet to consider access to leisure for vaccinated Australians
25th August 2021 - TTC pauses Australian touring departures until December and outlines new vaccine requirement
25th August 2021 - Australians’ travel plans yet to rise after vaccinations
25th August 2021 - New Qantas adverting campaign promotes travel for a vaccinated nation
24th August 2021 - Sydney Roosters advise of plans to ban unvaccinated fans from NRL fixtures in 2022
23rd August 2021 - Royal Life Saving provides guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations and aquatic facilities
20th August 2021 - Outback music festival organiser to demand proof of vaccination for attendees in 2022
20th August 2021 - Phuket Tourism stakeholders welcome landmark approval of Russian Sputnik vaccine
12th August 2021 - New Zealand Government looks to quarantine-free travel for vaccinated from early next year
12th August 2021 - Singapore hits 70% vaccination milestone with sport and events set to reopen
11th August 2021 - Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena transforms into vaccination centre for HSC students
4th August 2021 - Vaccine Passports to be required for NSW sporting venues in 2022?
30th July 2021 - Australia’s lockdowns to end once 80% of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19
28th July 2021 - Unvaccinated Australians could be barred from festivals, theatres and sport and entertainment venues
20th July 2021 - Victorian performing arts community launches advertisement backing COVID-19 vaccinations
13th July 2021 - Vaccine Passport could be on Phones by December
8th July 2021 - VMA says Australia getting vaccinated is the key to live entertainment industry’s road to recovery
Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.
However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.
Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.
Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.
Click here to subscribe.
