Travellers to pay $3,000 for Sydney hotel quarantine

Travellers rather than taxpayers are now footing the bill for mandatory hotel isolation upon arriving in Australia.

By David Flynn, July 12 2020
Travellers to pay $3,000 for Sydney hotel quarantine

International travellers flying into Sydney from Saturday July 18 will pay upwards of $3,000 for their mandatory two-week stay in hotel quarantine, as NSW joins Queensland in moving from a state-pays to a user-pays system.

Other states are expected to follow as they shift the multi-million dollar burden away from coffers which have already been strained by the economic impact of the coronavirus.

Australia enacted a compulsory 14-day isolation period for all inbound passengers as of March 29, with travellers escorted by Australian Border Force staff to a Government-nominated hotel at their point of entry into the country.

However, following the capping of inbound flights to 4,000 passengers per weekthe National Cabinet has given the go-ahead for states and territories to send the hotel quarantine bill to travellers rather than taxpayers.

Sydney Airport remains Australia's primary gateway, accounting for more than two-thirds of arrivals, which has meant NSW has carried the greatest share of the fiscal load over the past three months.

That burden has increased following Melbourne's recent decision to suspend all inbound passenger flights, with estimates that the NSW government's bill for quarantine accommodation to date is approaching the $20 million mark.

"Australian residents have been given plenty of time to return home, and we feel it is only fair that they cover some of the costs of their hotel accommodation," said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in announcing the charges.

As of Saturday July 18, all inbound travellers will be charged the following rates for their 14-day hotel quarantine:

  • $3,000 for one adult
  • $1,000 for each additional adult
  • $500 for each child aged three and over (children under three years will stay free of charge)

Those prices include meals, although the government will still pick up the cheque for transport to the hotel, security and logistics.

Travellers will be handed the bill when they leave quarantine, with payment due within 30 days, although a hardship scheme will be available to help people facing financial difficulties.

There'll be an exception made for travellers who booked their flight before 11.59pm on July 12, regardless of when that flight is, who will not be charged for the hotel quarantine stay.

Queensland introduced a user-pays scheme on July 1, having contracted a package deal with hotels across the state at $135 per room, with up to two adults and children allowed in a single room. Adults are charged $65 per person per day for meals, with children's meals at half price.

That pegs the total cost for 14 days at $2,800 for a solo traveller, $3,710 for a couple, $4,165 for two adults with one child and $4,620 for a family of four.

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

08 Feb 2018

Total posts 165

How very Australian....Welcome home, here's a bill

01 Nov 2012

Total posts 5

To be fair, if you've been ignoring government advice to return home for 3 months, you should wear the costs if you want to return to Australia.

American Airlines - AAdvantage

13 Jul 2015

Total posts 273

Some people have been unable to get back at all. My dad went to Malaysia as his dad, my grandfather, passed away in March- unfortunately Malaysia Airlines cancelled all flights out and Malaysia imposed a strict quanrintine. Dad's finally taken the first flight out to Aus early July - won't be amazing to get hit by this fee on top.

Also, the quality of the food still looks rubbish, why so high a fee?

01 Nov 2012

Total posts 5

Of course there will always be exceptions, and hopefully the hardship thing helps. I think the original premise was a bit over simplistic..

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Jul 2017

Total posts 26

Many have said the food quality has improved. People should not be getting a bill for this.

27 Nov 2018

Total posts 4

He won't be hit with that fee. As per above.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Jan 2018

Total posts 128

I agree with you. It's been months and there have been repatriation flights as well. If someone has chosen to ignore it why should I have to pay for their 2 weeks at a 5 star hotel. I can't imagine someone being anywhere and completely oblivious to the outside world.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

07 Aug 2013

Total posts 248

Exactly right - and they they have nerve to complain about the free food they get.

You're right in saying it has been months. We have been in government enforced lock down since March 16. Our employer refused to let us leave early and then it became impossible to do so. The few repatriation flights that were made available were exiting from other states that we could not get to; domestic flights, buses, and trains ceased to operate and state borders were closed. We were contained within our living compound for 13 weeks. Believe me, if there was a chance to leave we would have jumped at the opportunity. I still pay taxes in Australia and agree that the burden placed on the economy is unfair. I would happily make a contribution to the cost if it meant I could get home, but I also think the government is being ripped off at $65 per person, per day for food bills. What 'average' Australian family would budget for this much per day? If it's wagu and wine then perhaps, but who will then pay my coronary medical costs!

24 Sep 2019

Total posts 12

Give me the name of the 5 star hotel that is supplying 3 meals per day room service for $65 and I'm there! Some of them charge $40 just for breakfast.

18 Jul 2020

Total posts 2

Me too!

04 Aug 2020

Total posts 1

My employer also refused to let me return home to Australia until the beginning of May, by which time the Indonesian government closed all immigration offices in Jakarta, consequently preventing my repatriation until the end of July. I couldn't book an airline ticket before the fee-paying date because i had no clear information about the re-opening of government offices due to extended lockdowns, just as we are now seeing in every state in Australia. I have not worked since April 30 and it seems unlikely that i will find a job anytime in the near future, so it is unfair to be forced to pay $2000-$3000 and endure isolation like a caged animal. No matter how comfortable the room is, it is mentally challenging to stay sane under such arbitrary conditions. If anyone thinks it is a 'holiday' then you should try having no human contact for 14 days yourself (apart from two nurses who stop by for 2 minutes to test you for COVID-19 on day 2 and day 12).

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Jul 2017

Total posts 26

Not everyone can pack up their lives and leave overnight. Some might have work contracts, schools, study or homes let alone businesses, and nothing to return home to.

05 Sep 2020

Total posts 1

In fact, many people could not leave their host country immediately - they would if they could. It's amazing that many people are very close-minded and quite ignorant. People don't have to experience to live overseas to be able to understand these things, just have empathy & open your mind.

15 Jul 2020

Total posts 1

Quite ignorant of you to assume that the reason people aren't returning home is because they are enjoying themselves somewhere overseas. There are so many reasons that people are not returning home straight away. I'm currently in England on a working visa and it ends in September. I have a job contract that pays well and was lucky enough to stay in employment through a really tough time. Why would I come home straight away to a crumbling economy without a job? Parts of england are still in lockdown. Which means we are not allowed to travel. Don't know about you but taking a 24 hour flight , transiting through affected countries doesn't sound very appealing to me. So why not stay on when I've still got time left on my visa? But when it does end, and I return home, I'll be hit with a $3000 bill to quarantine rather than going home to my family who I haven't seen in a year. Yeah, lucky me.

Firstly who said we need to stay 2 weeks and in a 5 star hotel? They could easily be doing a COVID test and within 3 days we be released. You're forgetting here that we didn't choose any of this we are forced to do so. So if we have to be forced to stay 2 unnecessary weeks in a 5 star hotel then the government should be paying the bills. 

You're literally complaining about helping citizens to go back home while you're literally paying, with your tax $, for inmates to be fed and locked after 🤦🏻‍♀️

Looked after*

22 Sep 2020

Total posts 1

How very ignorant. Some people are overseas on work contracts and have set up home that they could not pack up and leave. E.g we booked our flights home for Nov (when our visa expires) and did this in Feb prior to any of this. We will get a fee waiver so that's not even a concern. The concern is the ignorance and blaming people are doing when there is more often than not very valid reasons for people not to have come home earlier. 

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

30 Aug 2018

Total posts 13

Some people may not have had any reason to come 'home' and have had their hand forced by employment ending (and losing residency as a side effect) or the difficulty of winding up their obligations (housing, financial etc.) wherever they are.

I imagine quite a few returnees in the second half of the year will be in this category.

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

Absolutely. The longer this goes on for the more people will be traveling not because they want to but because circumstances Outside their control require it.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Jun 2016

Total posts 44

Tremere - you are absolutely right. I am in that boat -was planning on coming home prior to global lockdown. Winding up obligations (selling house, car etc etc) takes time and because of the shutdown where I am, that was not particularly realistic nor financially sound to attempt. Having just lost my job (2 days ago) I'm starting to figure out next steps with the hope I'll be able to make it back before the end of the year.

Benmay,

To be fair, international borders closed all around the world and some people were not able to get out, despite every effort made. Consider that.

James

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

I didn't leave my residence country if USA during the worst as being high risk category travel was too daunting.

With my 95 year old mum in aged care in Melbourne I was desperate to come back to see her. Especially after another close friend's mum passed away in Sydney... and she couldn't return.

When I finally came in May I had my quarantine. With mediocre food and prison like feeling. No fresh air. Two 15 minute walks outside supervised.

It was incredibly hard. So much harder than imagined. All to spend a precious 4 weeks with my mum before returning to work and partner in US.

In October I'll be doing it again. And having a heart operation. I don't mind paying... however , conditions offered need to be risen so much to warrant paying. It's fine I'm outside looking in but it was pretty darn tough in there.

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

You know.... flights are hard to get, many are stuck... work issues... feeling safe to fly... there are many variables.

I have to look return for a heart op in October... so I can't have flown yet... I'm waiting

@benmay

Don't assume for a moment the Australians living overseas are ignoring or have ignored recommendations to return home. If you might remember a few months ago (think outside of your own little world for a moment) airlines, borders and restrictions globally literally grounded aviation in few days. There was no way to get home. I have no issue paying but for Australian citizens only (no residents) the hotel charges should be tax deductible, or at least a portion of it.

Grow up and stop assuming Australians overseas have taken their sweet ass time to get home, I got example live in Spain and am returning home in a week. I've not stayed I Spain because I have enjoyed one of the works most strictest lockdowns, I simply have had no way to get home. Simple!

Agree 💯. If they want to force us to do something that they could easily instead do a COVID test and within 3 days we be released then THEY should be paying for it!

06 Feb 2014

Total posts 113

Absolutely wrong. We are all citizens of this country and have every right to enter and this serves as a deterrent. You are not familiar with personal circumstances of those who have not come back. That said it should be completely their choice!

If the government wants to enforce quarantine, they pay...I find it ironic we don't charge people in jail for their costs yet law abiding citizens we do when entering their home country and to do the right thing..

QFF

16 May 2016

Total posts 66

Everybody has different circumstances. Perhaps the people only returning now couldn't possibly return sooner, and maybe never planned to - jobs, kids in schools, caring for relatives, visa restrictions.... Back in March, nobody knew we'd be where we are today. Three months later, it has hit their industry, they've lost their job and visa, and must return. Then get whacked with this hotel bill. Terrible call. This is exactly what the Aus Govt has done to people. You lose you job and you're a temp visa holder? Tough luck, see you later. Govt loves giving these visas in the thousands to do the 'dirty' work much needed by industry, then leaves them high and dry.

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 526

I agree with all of you. Although my reply is coming late, the circumstances haven't changed much in this time, so what I am saying now is as relevant as it was 6, 9 or 10 months ago.

Even now, there are Aussies stuck abroad who can't come home. Others who wish they could (like me) but can't uproot our lives to make it happen that quickly. I will eventually move back to Australia, but right now I can't just get up and go. I need to save money to purchase a property - I refuse to move back to Aus in a haste, to a lower quality of life than I'm enjoying now. It wouldn't be fair to my wife or children to make such a rushed move and thus have to downsize. Also, quitting her job (I'm more flexible as I'm self employed) would mean we'd lose that income. Much better to make the move when we're more ready, which is likely to be in a couple of years from now.

I have young children - I can't imagine how I'd get them onto a plane (they've never flown before) and I'm sure they won't wear a mask. They've never worn one in their life and a two or three year old just won't wear one for a 9 hour flight (actually, it's probably 12 hours once you factor in the time spent in the airport before departure and after arrival, which requires a mask to be worn as well).

As you probably know, children as young as 18 months have been kicked off flights in countries such as the USA, for not wearing masks even though the law requires masks for those aged above 2 only. In Australia, it only applies to children aged 12 and above (for domestic flights). Not sure about international flights but pretty sure airlines flying into/out of Australia apply whatever their policies are and not the much more reasonable Australian government policy.

Then you have 14 days stuck in a small hotel room with no fresh air. As someone else commented, what about special needs children such as those with autism? Governments have this "one size fits all" policy and particularly in Asian countries, which are among the most authoritarian in the world, it's unlikely they would accommodate autistic children who can't wear masks on flights. This means such families are stuck abroad until the mask laws are lifted, which could be another year or two from now.

Then there's the financial burden of the quarantine itself, which is a slap in the face to returning Aussies, who must then somehow pay for this (even if they can pay later, it means extra debt).

Qantas

22 Jul 2015

Total posts 4

Incorrect. 

The advice from DFAT was for travellers to return home. Aussies who had jobs, homes and access to health care were advised to stay. 

03 Oct 2020

Total posts 1

I think that's actually very unfair. Some people have whole lives to pack up before they can just get on a plane and return home. Some have young children (with special needs) in school, jobs to wind down, houses to give notice on etc... not to mention the fact that the ability to simply jump on a plane and get back has been nigh on impossible with all the cancellations and quotas on incoming Australians. This government has chosen to impose this style of quarantine on returning citizens. I'd be more than happy to go home if the government would let me. If it doesn't want to allow me to do that and trust that I will do it responsibly, then it should foot the bill. I'm sorry that there's a couple of idiots who broke the quarantine in Melbourne (just like I'm sorry that there are drunk drivers who act irresponsibly and cost people lives) but that is not me and if you can't trust people to do the right thing then what sort of society do you have? We don't take away everyone's driver's licence because some people break the rules. I booked my tickets home for Christmas back in February. Under the current rules my two young children would spend Christmas in a quarantine hotel. I could not even guarantee them fresh air or an open window. One has adhd and both have had a very difficult year in London. If the government insists on this policy then it should be humane and compassionate. And you should think before you mouth off on something you have no experience of. It's just mean.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Jul 2017

Total posts 26

Good way to stop all passenger movements and completely stall an industry. The hotel bill is pittance for the country. Pursue top 100 companies who pay zero in tax before killing another industry off.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

07 Aug 2013

Total posts 248

I am happy to see this it shouldn't be taxpayers who fund people's decisions to have gone overseas and return - whether it's for very personal reasons or not - although the main culprits who still went overseas for holidays in early stages of pandemic came back to fully funded quarrantine - it's the people who were not able to get back that will be disadvantaged which is unfair but still - everyone's made sacrifices last few months and if u went overseas a 2 weeks secure and safe hotel stay is one coat to bare.

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

Many people returning are residents of overseas country coming home to check on aging parents or sick relatives. ( not Covid)

The Australian Border Force and DHHS both told me that there were many in this category. Me included.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 3

You're assuming the people who "went overseas" are on holidays. There are over 1 million Australian expats living around the world. We were overseas when this whole thing started and it would have been irresponsible for many of us to travel as the peaks were ramping up where we were. Not to mention, when you have a job, a home and family in your host country, it isn't all that easy to jump on a plane. $4,000 isn't a sacrifice, it's robbery quite frankly when there are many other viable options that would not place such a heavy burden on families who are more than likely returning home because they have run out of options. I for one have lost my job as a result of COVID, isn't that enough of a "cost to bare" already?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2011

Total posts 359

The should have been doing this a long time ago, people have had plenty of time to return home.

18 Jun 2020

Total posts 1

long overdue

NT
NT

30 Apr 2013

Total posts 13

Cool. I'm happy pay so let me leave!

21 Jun 2020

Total posts 5

If all airlines and governments request mandatory testing before passenger board flight and not on arrival everyone can travel safe.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Mandatory testing doesn't get pre-symptomatic that is why NZ has testing day 3 and 12 of 14 day quarantine and Greece day 1 and day 6 after one week quarantine. Most doctors/hospitals require two negative tests a couple of day apart, and even then. cases still pop up or re-emerge.

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

Australia is days 3 and 111

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

I'm happy to pay too if it means I can leave and return but unfortunately the exemption criteria remains unchanged and if I am to go I need to travel ASAP. I guess I may put in another exemption request. I have nothing to lose.

They may not like getting another request but if they had said yes to the first one I wouldn't have needed to consider making another request.

Qantas

22 Oct 2012

Total posts 317

$200 a night, including 3 meals a day, is a very fair price.

01 Apr 2014

Total posts 114

Agree - good luck finding accomodation pre-COVID for $135 per night at most average and above places. Whilst $65 per day seems about right for inflated Room Service food

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

That's more then I normally pay for hotels when traveling.

$910 for 2 weeks of food?

Provided there is a fridge and microwave in the room, I could source 2 weeks of food for ~$140.

I can't even remember the last time I even had 3 meals in a single day.

I only eat lunch when traveling/on holiday. I only eat breakfast on work days. ie. I normally have 12 meals/week.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Jul 2017

Total posts 26

12 meals cost you $140. Sounds high.

18 Jul 2020

Total posts 2

@Himeno $910 for 2 weeks of food in a hotel is about right, they normally charge about $35 just for breakfast

Thanks! I guess I'm supposed to be thankful and feel welcomed.

I don't actually want to return to Australia where I will be an additional burden. I will be unemployed and I don't have anywhere to live. I am being forced to Australia because I am an Australian citizen, my work permit expires at the end of July and I am only allowed to return to my country of nationality. I am not permitted to repatriate to my next country of employment. I am unable to sell my household goods or vehicles and will lose in access of $20,000 as a result. Add in excess of $10,000 to get back to Australia and then the cost of quarantine and should feel grateful. For the five years I've lived and worked OS, I have continued to pay annual taxes in Australia.

The Australian government will not allow me to leave Australia once I've completed the quarantine period. There is a ban on all travel in and out of the country except for repatriating nationals. Working and living overseas is not one of the exemptions permitted.

Please don't make generalised comments that are ill-informed about the situation of individuals you know nothing about. The situation is not as straight forward as many comments imply.

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

No microwave. Just electric kettle. No crockery no cutlery

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

Resident of overseas country can leave

I just did. As long as you have spent more time out of Australia than in over a five year period. Your passport proves this

XWu
XWu

09 May 2020

Total posts 569

“ Sydney remains the primary gateways for travellers arriving into Australia, with more than 60 per cent of arrivals, NSW government has reportedly spent more than $16 million on quarantine accommodation.”

Hmm, the ABC reported today $50M spend by NSW on quarantine

And seriously some of the glob people were getting as seen in posts in early April in some 5 star hotel is not worth the $65 daily meal cost.

But that's rather state government more or less handing over complete control of quality to the hotel management

15 Aug 2018

Total posts 25

This could all be avoided by using a Hong Kong style system. At the airport they put a tracking app on your phone and a Bluetooth wristband that connects to the app. You must do a COVID test at the airport then you can go directly home to stay there for 14 days (policed through the app). A$5000 fine or 6 months jail if you break quarantine.

Currently the Australian system is just a hotel stimulus package regardless of who pays.

By the way timid pollies should have opened “bubbles” to similarly safe countries by now

XWu
XWu

09 May 2020

Total posts 569

@ Ted Striker

“Surely you can't be serious!”

The quarantine works better when rules are enforced at the time rather than punishment applied in retrospect

The antics of what some people under mandatory quarantine in hotels still managed to do, shows how little regard enough people have with doing the right thing even when they know police are posted at the hotel.

Far more people will be tempted to break quarantine at home as shown when the quarantine was allowed to be at home.

It works better in HK where the tech is better for tracking (associated with a densely populated city) and a population with different character (sort of).

And I suspect by the time the transgressors get to the courts, memories will fade and magistrates more forgiving and the punishment given will be nothing close to be a deterrent.

I am serious and will promise not to call you Shirley again

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Ted we are really talking NZ as similarly safe. The others like us all have their moments, and with higher incidence rates, or you have to go through countries with higher rates.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 3

This. Much better solution than charging people exorbitantly high prices to be stuck in a cell for 2 weeks.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Ted this doesn't account for visitors and I think it should be an irremovable bracelet as people Have been known to ‘forget' their phones.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 112

Absolute crap! Deprivation of liberty and and forced detention without choice is imprisonment.

I don't mind paying if I am given the choice of where and the additions I want, remove that choice and be stuffed if I am going to pay, especially $65 a day for shit food!

19 Jun 2020

Total posts 1

My father passed away 14 days ago and I fly out on Saturday for the funeral and to spend time supporting my mother.

I have mixed feelings about the charge. As a community protection initiative it feels a little unfair that I have to carry the burden of the cost.

If I committed a crime I don't have to pay for the prison accommodation and yet that would definitely be due to my personal actions.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 112

My point exactly.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

31 Jul 2018

Total posts 8

You won't have to pay if your flight is booked pre 23:59 tonight though.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 2

My condolences for your loss.

13 Aug 2015

Total posts 40

So many ignorant comments here about why and when people may travel..

Also not one comment about testing. Testing (which is cheap compared to the cost of a hotel, no matter who is paying) combined with a shorter term quarantine while results are processed would be much more effective.. and cheaper.

Also no consideration regarding those with antibodies.

The Australian Government is overstepping its bounds on so many levels, especially when it comes out outbound travel. I think you'll find the UN agrees. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Vantage false negatives (also on antibody tests) is as high as one third hence the need for two tests. False positives also occur but it is the false negatives which are the very big problem.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Vantage also ver many countries require exit permits even when not under national emergency legislation.

21 Dec 2016

Total posts 39

This is the great irony of "test and trace". Unless you test the same person over and over again, it doesn't stop community transmission. This is part of the problem with the USA, where the testing rate is as high as Australia's. I get tested, it's negative, I go out...and then I don't get tested again until I'm forced / able / remember.

That's not a solution to ending transmission anywhere if the horse has already bolted.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Canada has similar rules on outbound travel. The UN may have its work cut out.

11 Dec 2016

Total posts 42

@patrickk incorrect. Canada merely "advises against non-essential international travel." NZ does not have a ban on departures due to their Bill of Rights specifically allowing a right to leave the country, something Australia does not have. Australia stands alone, and the longer this ban continues the more attention this will receive as a human rights violation. Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Hewnix lots of countries require exit visas, and there are comprehensive lists readily available (see Intelyse) and this included the Schengen (Europe) area for a time. Given the large number of countries involved the human rights council will have its work cut out.

11 Dec 2016

Total posts 42

@patrickk as it happens I researched every OECD country's travel restrictions and none of them have a ban on departing the country. Australia stands alone. Countries with exit visa requirements are Saudi, Qatar, etc. These are grave human rights abusers and NOT our models. The exemption process is fully discretionary with no accountability, transparency, nor right of review. I researched it extensively and the right to leave one's country is a fundamental human right and personal liberty which has developed over centuries. In fact it was one of the primary complaints made during the French Revolution. Personally I have no intention of going overseas and appreciate the travel ban was a quick solution during a volatile situation but we are now four months into it with no indication that a solution to end the ban is being developed. Australia can quarantine arrivals and charge if they want but the logistics must not be used to deprive us of a fundamental human right. We are a nation of migrants and people have family overseas. If my parents were to fall gravely ill the decision to leave Australia should not be left up to a bureaucrat behind a web form.

11 Dec 2016

Total posts 42

@patrickk further, important to note that NZ and Canada both have a right to depart the country enshrined in their Bill of Rights / Charter of Rights. Australia does not even have any sort of bill or charter of rights.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

States of emergency have been known to override these rights, and may include health orders. Looking forward to see how it pans out in court. Anyway most places are closed except for those where the health risk is very if not too high. Countries also have an obligation to help and protect their citizens, sometimes from themselves and their silly choices.

Air Canada - Aeroplan

28 Feb 2015

Total posts 115

Incorrect. Canada has an advisory but not a prohibition.

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

19 Jun 2020

Total posts 2

HI All,

I am an Australian citizen. My parents are in India. My Father health is not well. I need to travel to india and to stay there for 4 weeks as there is no one to look after them . After that i need to return to Australia again.

under what reason i can apply for exemption.

What documentation i have to submit to Immigration.

Which airlines are taking passengers to India.

Please advice.

thanks in advance.

15 Aug 2018

Total posts 25

Search : Covid-19 (Novel coronavirus) request to travel form

you should get the home affairs website

you can see the exemption criteria which includes unavoidable personal buisness and humanitarian grounds.

16 Nov 2018

Total posts 27

When returned travelers are being asked to pay for quarantine in July, they should also be given the choices for accommodation luxury levels. At least offer 3-4-5 star options from $80 to $135. Also food delivery should also be allowed, either ubereats or family delivery.

XWu
XWu

09 May 2020

Total posts 569

@ Jason526

I suspect many 5-star hotel will be planning to get out of their contract with state government as some are saying the cost-renumeration for having the entire hotel under quarantine rules (can't do it partially) is no better than low occupancy rate with higher rates. The quarantine business was to keep things going. Now that the borders are opening for some states, the better hotels rather take a risk with local travellers paying their way (and casual employees will be rostered according to occupancy rates) rather than block off their entire business at $200 max pp daily.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Jason food delivery is allowed at least according to most personal experiences reported.

19 Jun 2020

Total posts 3

As someone who has been heavily involved in this process as part of my job, I can confirm that complaints of hotels refusing to accept any kind of delivery for quarantined travellers, including food are relatively common. Other common issues have been hotels refusing to launder clothes for the 14 days, refusing to offer changes of bed linen, delivering cold food, delivering meat based meals to vegetarians, providing inappropriate meals for young children and providing rooms without opening windows or access to fresh air. Another common issue has been hotels charging their usual rate for access to wifi, with some billing $40 a day for access.

They are far from the holiday camps which some would seem to believe, and I can't help believing that the mental health consequences for many of these people will be worse than the disease. Very few are uninformed travellers. The majority that I have encountered have been unable to return to Australia due to transport issues. Many have also returned to either comfort a sick or dying relative, due to a death in the family or because they want to be with their family or children, which I personally think is a perfectly reasonable aspiration.

02 Jul 2020

Total posts 19

You are absolutely right.

My husband was quarantined in Melbourne without too much drama, but as a Type 1 diabetic, it is very important for him to have access to exercise and fresh air, as well as whole food that isnt full of refined carbs and sugar. Fortunately he had a decent sized room to move about in. He managed most of the food issues (thanks to some preparation before leaving the UK), but when flying onto Hobart afterwards, he was forced to quarantine again - and this time it was the absolute pits. No idea of social distancing (literally “yeah all just gather there at the front of the bus willya?”) and the dinner options were fish and chips, or chicken and chips. As he is vegetarian, his option was chips. The windows opened a few inches only and the room was full of mouldy stench from the fact that the fridge had been defrosted onto the carpet. In the end, a government doctor took pity on him and allowed him home after the first week but the point remains.

The ignorance of some of the comments here - when this all happened, the advice was to “return or prepare for a long stay”. Many of us chose to stay put overseas to wait out the lockdown, rather than fly at the height of it. But we eventually have to return home as we are outstaying our welcome in other countries. Now people act as though we have been jetting around the world and want to waltz into Oz on a taxpayer funded free holiday. It's not that way at all.

In my opinion, Australia needs to adopt the same testing regime as Hong Kong, you are tested at the airport, if you are negative, you are free to go home and isolate for 7 days, if you are tested as positive if inconclusive, you are put into government qaurantine for 14 days.

If the citizen is required to pay for the accommodation, this should be 100% tax deducatble, in my view, if the government is making 14 days qaurantine mandatory, they cough up for it. It is that simple.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

James a good idea but Australians have failed self isolating very badly so the 7 days would have to be somewhere secure and if tested positive then 14 days quarantine after a second negative test much like NZ.

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 526

Will there be dual pricing, with one price charged for Aussies and a higher price for foreigners?

This is the way many Asian countries do it. Not sure why Australia hasn't caught on.

21 Jun 2020

Total posts 1

Stop dictatorship!! forced quarantine, forced to pay, etc, we can't do anything or jail/punishment!!

22 Jun 2020

Total posts 1

If your returning into forced hotel quarantine what difference does it make if it was two months ago or next year. Its the governments idea so let them pay.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

13 Jan 2018

Total posts 47

While all travel was, effectively, shut down, hotel quarantine at a set government price was practical if not essential for both the hotels and the Australian public. However as travel and tourism returns, commercial reality will return and $135 per night is not sustainable for most 4 and all 5 star hotels in Australia, so 2 things must occur. Market rates in fully operational hotels will return which will cause a massive blowout in what governments must pay to retain the policy.

If the "answer" is to have returnees pay, there's another problem - who is going to choose to stay in a hotel which is also accomodating quarantined travellers? Answer - nobody, which leaves the hotel with no alternative other than to politely decline the governments requests for accomodation. If it is not a "request", then the government will have to pay for the whole hotel, occupied or not, which will be way too expensive. A lawyers picnic will follow.

07 May 2020

Total posts 151

A small point that seems to have been missed by the media is that the NSW Covid 19 Health Order relating to mandatory 14 day quarantine for international arrivals has been repealed today, 25 June 2020.
Therefore there is no regulation in NSW to force people into 14 day hotel quarantine.

Perhaps the government is just being very quiet about this trivial matter.

Bad news for those arrivals today who get "tricked" into accepting a 14 day quarantine by signing the consent form presented at arrivals. They probably don't even know that they do not need to consent and therefore could go about their daily lives like the rest of us.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

I think you will find have people will be required to follow a health order and that may and most probably will be 14 day quarantine in a hotel. Not sure being asked to follow a health order is 'being tricked'. They do not need to consent but then they could be arrested or more likely out on the flight back to where thay came from, for not following a legitimate health order. Like to see someone try to test the order.

11 Dec 2016

Total posts 42

it's a Commonwealth order and it was in fact renewed in time for another 90 days in June.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 2

I am happy to quarantine in my own home if need be, but to be forced into this, and then on top of this have to pay this crazy amount is completely unjust! How do we go about refusing to accept once we arrive at the airport? Is that even possible?

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Quarantining at home would work fine if you were in a detached house and isolated yourself properly with no visitors. However a small but not insignificant proportion of returning travellers broke the rules and as a consequence the government has had to quarantine everyone in hotels rather than trusting people to act responsibly. Putting a policeman outside your front door 24/7 for 2 weeks would cost a lot more than quarantine and use up valuable resources.

If you can prove you booked before the deadline then you won't need to pay. If you are broke, on a low income and paying this would cause significant hardship then you might be able to get a payment arrangement or in extreme cases perhaps even get it waived.

Some have suggested that they will have mechanisms to force people to pay up e.g. banning departure from the country until the bill is paid.

11 Dec 2016

Total posts 42

Just say upon arrival that you don't have the funds to pay for it. Nothing they can do. They will either give you a hardship exception or they will give you a fine or some sort of debt. Remains to be seen. I strongly advise you to challenge any fine or debt in court. This is all quite legally dubious and judges don't like these sorts of things in Australia generally.

07 May 2020

Total posts 151

Patrickk. When I looked at the NSW government website this morning they were referring to their Health Order enacted on 28 Mar 2020 which was repealed today 25 June 2020. So that means there is no order to have to follow in NSW. Perhaps the NSW government has today enacted a new order?

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Gorobin they have to be allowed entry to the country to follow the order. If a condition of that entry is signing a document agreeing to hotel quarantine then a specific State health order may not be required it may be enough to come under the federal legislation and as evidence has shows with quarantined people testing positive this may well be one such case.

07 May 2020

Total posts 151

Patrickk. You are not correct. But the discussion is now not relevant because in the early hours of today the NSW government issued a new Covid Health Order for mandatory 14 day quarantine. This order unlike the previous one is indefinite. So no plan or any indication from NSW government. It's a case of stick your finger in the air and see if you can detect any wind, and which direction it is blowing from. Happy days and more unemployment.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Gorobin the federal government bio security act comes into play here so even if the NSW had no such orders the federal government Act would be enforced and do note that most cases except for Victoria are from quarantine, so not sure what you are wishing on us.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Oct 2016

Total posts 11

Trying to work out what mechanism they could use to force a traveller to pay. It is governments choice to force the 14 day hotel stay. If a traveller refuses to sign that they will pay what are they going to do?

13 May 2016

Total posts 40

hvanney they wont let You leave Australia till you pay your bill

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 112

These are state debts, the borders are federal...

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Hvanney for Australia residents the ATO is a very efficient fee collector.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 112

Theses are state debts, not federal.

The ATO has no authority over state debts.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Oct 2016

Total posts 11

The state is the party charging for the quarantine, Not sure the ATO would be interested in collecting the State's debts for them

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

If there is something in it for them they may. My point is that government has many ways of collecting outstanding debts.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2017

Total posts 336

Each state also has their contracted debt collectors used for situations like quarantine.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 112

Which is limited to recovery action in that state.

If you quarantine in one state and move to another, they have to use that states civil systems to chase the debt. Not saying they won't but it adds a nice layer of complexity to the issue.

adi
adi

28 May 2020

Total posts 28

I'm happy to pay for this 14 day quarantine and tests, just let me out from here without begging for a permission.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

13 Dec 2012

Total posts 53

My view that is society decides to quarantine people upon arrival for the benefit of the broader society, then society pays, as simple as they.

United Airlines - Mileage Plus

12 Sep 2011

Total posts 333

Good User pays you have had 5 months to return "Home" Keep your SARS-COV-2 away from Australia a bit of a dis-incentive despite all these permanent residents bringing their COVID-19 through the back doors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12 Jul 2020

Total posts 1

We are trying to get a flight back to Qld due to parents health, since our flight has been cancelled in May. Looked for option but Airline kept saying flights would continue to be cancelled even if changed and of course then they stopped flying.

Now with the number of arrivals capped per wk to Aus, we may be able to get a flight to BNE mid-end Aug but told to be prepared for those flights to be cancelled/rescheduled last minute. Can't take the chance state borders won't be closed again and land in Sydney/Perth, has to be Brisbane.

Not sure if having a flight booked flight for May cancelled is grounds for some form of exemption or at least a reduction in quarantine costs. Happy to pay the hotel room cost but the food price is ridiculous $1800 for 2 people! Due to medical reasons there is a lot of food my husband and I can't eat, so when we do stay somewhere we never stay at hotels, always apartments or aparthotels so we can cook/manage the strict food requirements. We'd not spend that much food on a grocery bill for a month! Some flexibility on the food bill option would be much appreciated.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 2

As an Australian who has been living overseas for almost ten years and was planning to move back to Australia at the end of 2020 (a plan that was made pre-COVID,) I must say I am a little shocked by the harsh attitude of some of my fellow Australians towards those of us who live (or got stuck) overseas and are now trying to get home. At a time when there is so much awfulness going on in the world it hardly seems necessary to go around making rash judgements about other people's living situations or reasons for not having made it back to Australia yet. Please, give us a break, guys!

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

You are quite right.

Very true and many forget!

11 Dec 2016

Total posts 42

You thought Tall Poppy Syndrome disappeared in Australia? That's all this is. Hatred for people who aspired to something and went overseas in pursuit of ambition.

The only reasonable position is to charge only for people who are not citizens (i.e. spouses without visas), people who departed Australia during the pandemic, and perhaps anyone who was never ordinarily resident in Australia pre-COVID at any time -- for example, someone who just received PR or acquired citizenship by descent overseas.

11 May 2013

Total posts 3

I just can't see how a government policy to bill incoming Travellers in any shape or form can be described as hatred. Everyone has a view, for or against and should be allowed to express their view. Personally I think incoming Travellers should pay, rather than slugging the taxpayer and I just can't fathom what the big deal with this is. I don't think it justified to claim the cash just because you work overseas. There has to be a buyer beware approach here. Goodnight.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 3

Exactly. All these Aussies showing absolutely no compassion towards others. I have lived overseas 13 years. Was put into lockdown before Australia made a call to come home. I live in Madrid, where there were massive outbreaks and we were locked down from 11th of March. Would it have been a responsible thing for me to travel home to my family at that point? I don't think so. I've lost my job now, who knows how long I can support myself here. Spain's job market is difficult at the best of times, not to mention for a foreigner in the middle of an economic crisis. All these people thinking we're run off on some extended holiday rather than having lived and worked overseas.

13 Jul 2020

Total posts 2

This is extremely harsh and unjust. I can see the point that taxpayers should not have to fork out these sorts of payments, but we must understand that many of us are working overseas and are also trapped here, away from our families and lives back home- some of us not out of choice! I simply want to come back to Sydney at some stage when work allows, and if the stresses and hardships of the past few months were not enough of a strain on us all, we are now also forced to pay $3000 to come home? Is that fair or just in a society that prides itself on being democratic and fair to all? It is not my fault Covid exists, it is not my fault I am trapped overseas, it is not my choice to stay in a hotel nor to be quarantined....these are being forced upon me, not out of choice. So I should not have to pay for something that is not my doing or my choice. This fee should only apply to non-citizens or non-residents who are coming to holiday in Australia, not to those of us who want to come home. I would be happy to go straight to my house and stay there for 2 weeks in quarantine, and not have to pay this ridiculous amount of money. I hope people can see the unfairness of this from a different point of view.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

If you haven't been trying to get home as yet then you chose to stay overseas against government advice.

Whilst its understandable if working overseas and finding a job at home in most fields would be difficult at the moment, it is still a choice to remain overseas.

If everyone could be trusted to do the right thing then quarantining at home would work. Unfortunately a small, but not insignificant proportion of returning travellers broke the rules so the government decided that hotel quarantine was the solution.

Another comment from someone who has no clue and is content to accept whatever propaganda they're fed by the media and government.

Many have not been able to return to Australia for many reasons, as has been outlined in previous comments on this thread.

Just as Victorians are currently under lockdown, so were many other parts of the world. I was locked down for 13 weeks in a compound in Bangalore. Unable to leave my premises except to collect food ordered online at the security gate. Some evac flights were going, from Delhi to Aust. But how do you get there when you cant even leave your home and state borders are closed? Thats like trying to get from Melb to Bris in the current circumstances. In addition, our employer would not allow us to leave without penalty for breaking contract.

You re correct in identifying the problem originating here in Australia. If people had followed guidlines and rules, if governments had enforced strict adherance, without exceptions, we would not have the current problem with quaratine and expenses. So dont blame those from overseas still trying to get back. Take a swipe at those who set up the system and those who refuse to follow the rukes.

08 Jul 2020

Total posts 10

The option of "choosing" to stay overseas disappears when borders and airports close, as has been the case in so many countries. Changing self isolation to quarantine because a small proportion broke the rules. joins the list of the majority being penalised by actions of the minority.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Weather they tried quarantine at home and 15% didn't do so hence the outbreak from the Ruby Princess and others. Not sure what the solution is. Tracking bracelets could work but would people accept them and also ‘promise' not to have visitors. Perhaps random checks with police custody for not complying. It is whether we would prefer that or $3k. Perhaps provide an option.

11 May 2013

Total posts 3

Entirely fair. Why do you want the taxpayer to pay, it is accommodation and meals for you. It happens to be a regulation so my guess is at the next election vote out those who prescribed it. Just don't whine about it. It's a fact.

16 Feb 2017

Total posts 28

How nice it would be if the government would release some high level data revealing the breakdown of arrivals by month. The papers have been reporting the difficulties faced by expats needing to return home. But most silent about other groups. People holding dual residency ? Relatives of Australian residents /citizens ? A post on a related topic mentioned that there are big numbers in these groups - but it's seen as 'sensitive'

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

For over 50 years the age of air travel has allowed people of all income levels to travel widely for pleasure, business, education, family gatherings, and much much more. An industry grew and prospered, we all enjoyed the experience.

In only a few short weeks all that was turned on it's head and Governments all over the world told their citizens to 'stay home' or 'come home asap'. At the same time the means to do so largely evaporated, a few repatriation flights were laid on (good) but now even those have gone so literally millions of people all round the world find themselves in countries other than their own.

Some are trying to get on with their lives as best possible far from home, some continue to manage or operate businesses that actually generate export income for their countries (yes, remember that....we still need to sell things people....money/trees/all that stuff), others find their personal situations changing and need to adjust. The list goes on.

So please don't be judgemental and simplistic about this. Frankly this latest limit on arrivals and the outbreak in Victoria if anything shows that Australia couldn't actually cope with the number of people who did 'come home'. Imagine if everyone did....

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

Aggie exactly. Well put

14 Jul 2020

Total posts 1

Hey, I have booked my flight on 05.July.2020 from New Delhi India to Sydney Australia via Singapore Airlines. I am flying on 20 September 2020. Please confirm, Will i charged for my Hotel Quarantine or not.

27 Jun 2020

Total posts 18

Read the article again.....

11 May 2013

Total posts 3

Huge amount of pushback on both the quarantine and the associated charge. I just can't justify the argument that we feel we have either a human right to not be quarantined, or to pay for it. Smacks of Americans claiming human rights when arguing against wearing a mask. Look where they'd likely be now if they wore masks from the beginning, rather than the laughing stock of the world today. Remember that until we started getting community transmission it was all introduced by returning Travellers. Mostly Australian. So, sorry. Empathy but no support for you not paying for accommodation. Also, lots of nonsense about quality of food and standard of accommodation, lack of air etc. Afraid we're all feeling very privileged and immune from rules that are there to save lives and suppress transmission. Let's all work together and stop this nonsense nitpicking.

06 Feb 2014

Total posts 113

Change your name to Dani and it will all be ok. You will get a medical exception to stay at your own residence...what a double standard and a joke.

30 Jun 2020

Total posts 6

As a taxpayer I have no problem with a User Pays quarantine and COVID testing regime.

What I do have a massive problem with is being PROHIBITED to leave Australia.

Hopefully the quarantine charge will drive down the numbers of 'returning travellers', actually extended relatives of PR visa holders in Australia. Next to be allowed in to NSW will be 25000 foreign university students. Gladys has already talked about 250 students per day for 100 days. So with respect to international travel, Australian tax-paying citizens who need to travel overseas, are being prioritised behind non-passport holding foreigners. What a soft touch we are!

I've had PR in 2 Asian and 1 European country over the decades and I can guarantee there was never a programme that would have allowed me to bring in a dozen or so of my relatives to any of those countries!

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Durieu, people leaving and arriving are quite different kettles of fish, and I am not sure who the dozen relatives are but if they are your children why not. As others have mentioned close relatives is a very narrow group. I think Gladys is ‘dreaming' with 250 students per day with the associated 14 days quarantine (and current student accommodation probably doesn't cut it). The ACT has deferred its current plan of 250 all up for these reasons. The students will have both passports and visas and I doubt will be ahead of anybody by 2021 when it starts. They most probably will come in on their own charters and be kept away from anybody else. So there are different sets of issues.

Amt
Amt

12 Nov 2018

Total posts 14

Why is it I always find the tax returns of people who get hit with these bills are usually in the 10's of thousands of dollars and the ‘why should I have to pay for X to do Y' people pay nothing or nominal tax and avail of generous welfare and heath benefits?

Case in point, American expats pay global taxation, they pay both American federal and state taxes for essentially no benefit for the period they live and work abroad.... only to be told they must foot the bill for the cost or repatriation themselves and have their homeland cousins insult them for needing assistance.

It just seems those that pay the least... complain the most about what their taxes are spent on.

AMR
AMR

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Mar 2014

Total posts 9

Here are some clarifications to a number of comments/questions.

1) In NSW at least for the early part of hotel quarantine the food was supplied by the largest public hospital nearest that hotel - with that food supply (for the hospital et al) being outsourced some years ago to the private sector. $65/day covers the cost of one-use only containers/cutlery and transportation from the caterer to the hotel 3 times a day. It was NOT being prepared within the hotel. The used containers/cutlery have to be collected and disposed of using biohazard bags and transported to a biohazrd disposal facility - none of this is cheap. A large chunk of the $65 covers the one-use containers, cutlery & two lots of collection/distribution & biohazard disposal - not simply dumping it in a skip in the hotel basement.

2) From what I've learnt - over 200,000 of the approx 335,000 arrivals from 1 April through to 30 June were FOREIGN nationals who have never paid any tax in Australia. They have been arriving as 'close relatives' of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

For example 3 flights into Melbourne in early June from one country contained over 60% foreign nationals - there was not one empty seat on any of the planes. One group of close relatives to one Australian permanent resident numbered 13 people. There does not appear to be pre-screening before arrival and there is a rush to get them through the airport asap - so how many are legitimate who knows. The 13 did not travel with the Aust Permanent resident, nor were they at the airport to meet them (yes I know quarantine etc) BUT allegedly took a long time before phone contact was made to confirm these were close relatives. PHONE CONTACT not any documentation.

Close relatives cover mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, partners (& other dependents???? whatever that means?) So conceivably would cover children of brothers & sisters etc?

In NSW, Gladys inadvertently revealed that only under 40,000 arrivals in the 3 month period were Aust citizens/perm residents leaving over 160,000 foreign nationals. Supposedly a good chunk of the Aust citizens have been dual nationals who do not normally reside in Australia (also don't pay Australian tax such as working in HK or Singapore for example).

3) The Nothern Territory announced very early on when they saw the rorting that after one more week all international arrivals would have to pay their way AND not a 5 star hotel but a locked down facility that was used to house some of the Wuhan repatriation flights earlier.

International arrivals virtually ceased after a rush over that week. Instead they flew into Qld, Syd & Vic.

4) Yes there are a number of people who really were stranded and unable to get flights but they number less than 1,000 worldwide according to DFAT numbers spoken of (people who have registered with DFAT). They make up less than 1% of arrivals over the last 3 months.

5) Qatar Airways has maintained flights to multiple Australian cities as well as over a dozen Asian countries all through the June quarter and if you do a dummy booking the fares are not exorbitant unless (and not always) you try to book within 48 hours of travel.

For example: booking 2 weeks out from most European capitals to Sydney in Y is from $1,300 with long stopover in Singapore or $2,300 for 23 hour total transit time.

From SFO or LAX $1,300 to $1500 with direct non-stop from Lax for under $1,500

From YVR (via US) $1,500

CAI via Paris & Lax $3,700, via Qatar $4,400

Vietnam (depending on city) $2,400 to $2,700

So for bulk of Aust Citizens & Permanent residents there are flights available at reasonable prices. From Egypt - not so much.

05 Jan 2018

Total posts 56

so much talk abt the few who don't isolate at home, scofflaws who break the rules and so all must be jailed, sorry quarantined, etc etc. but not one person has mentioned the protests. tens of thousands protesting in clear breach of prevailing govt policies...should they be paying for their own healthcare costs if they fall sick? user pays and all that...perhaps till everyone obeys all laws, we should all be locked in our homes.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

Rotate I fully agree but at least the protests were outside and people mostly wore masks. At the same time there were football matches with poorly enforced social distancing and no masks, and don't get me started on noisy crowded in door venues such as clubs and casinos who seem to be very much above the law (a $5000 fine for Star, that would be about 10seconds of turnover). I walked down George street last week crowded bars no signing in etc. The hotel asked patrons to wear masks at the front desk. Apart from us nobody did. By the way rotate the protests have received quite a bit of comment not least from our government. Jus sayin.

08 Jul 2020

Total posts 10

I'd love to be locked in my own home..........anyway, back to reality

12 Jul 2020

Total posts 3

We are lucky the the gov in nz has no power to do this. 

Anyone know if there's a cost to quarantine for the night in transit in Sydney?

15 May 2020

Total posts 41

Hello - can someone please help me. long story short! I am returning back to Australia in two weeks and flying to Sydney. 

If someone knows or has had similar experiences - am I allowed to order food/groceries from coles or woolies and have it delivered to the hotel? 

I have food allergies and do not know what to do! I can't eat the hotel food or I will be sick 

08 Jul 2020

Total posts 10

Info regarding quarantine from people who have experienced it can e found in these facebook groups which you can join- Hotel quarantine australia & australians in quarantine facilities

Yes you're 

Please everyone be aware the under the biosecurity act what the government is doing is illegal. Theyre not legally allowed to lock healthy people. Only sick people have to do the quarantine! 

12 Oct 2017

Total posts 7

It’s clear most people, or at least many of them, who are commenting haven’t actually done hotel quarantine in Australia. 5 star is misleading first of all, it’s a room, in which you’re completely locked in for 2 weeks. My room was basically 3m by 5m, that’s a bed, a chair and a desk, meals were airline-type food “served” in plastic containers, it’s not a holiday in a resort, in most places you can’t even open a window. It’s also $215 a night which despite some people trying to suggest is good value is not really cheap at all. A lot of improvements could definitely be made to the system. Starting with ensuring guests have access to a balcony or fresh air, or at least daily outdoor exercise options. Finally any Australian citizen should have a right to return to Australia whenever they choose to, that’s part of the contract of citizenship, arguments like “oh well people were told to come back months ago now it’s their own fault” are simply laughable. 

💯

Even prisoners get at least 1hr of fresh air and exercise outdoors... 

I asked them if I could exercise on the hotel staircases and the answer was no. 

Im also very allergic to dust and suffer from bronchitis and ashtma, the room had carpets and they wouldnt even supply a vacuum cleaner, they said I had to buy one... What a joke!  A tiny window for fresh air...

I felt like I couldn't breathe anymore towards the end of the 2 weeks and they kept calling everyday to see if I was ok and if I was having any symptoms of covid such as short breath. I felt like telling them that what will kill me from short breath won't be the virus but all the dust in the room! 

My nostrils were extremely dry and my chest heavy and I knew it wasn't from corona but all the dust and lack of fresh air and sunlight! 

07 May 2020

Total posts 151

BREAKING NEWS

It seems that the NSW government forgot to enact legislation to give them legal authority to charge quarantine fees. Some other states did pass legislation last year. So it now seems that the NSW government will be forced to refund all fees charged since last year. I have asked the Premier of NSW, the Health Minister and the Attorney General to provide details of the legislation that gives them legal authority to charge those fees. There is no legislation so all those who received unlawful invoices from NSW Revenue should now claim a refund.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1426

GoRobin, the NSW government charges us who live here for all sorts of stuff without specific legislation. I wait with bated breath for the legal opinion, and successful cases you will soon provide. At least my headlines can be sourced to a report. Can you provide your sources. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Jun 2016

Total posts 44

As someone who received and paid the $3k invoice I have no intention of trying to claim a refund. I was out of the country for almost a decade and have zero  issue paying for quarantine as I have not paid taxes here for a number of years and I do not expect my fellow citizens to pay for me. 

Was the food awful during my 14 days incarceration ? Yes it was. Did I get fresh air? Nope. However, the whole process in Sydney was so well organised from moment plane door opened to when hotel room door closed ... I cannot complain. The freedoms we now live with in Australia compared to the rest of the world are amazing and I am simply happy to be home. Quarantine is just something one has to deal with in order to live in such a (relatively) care free manner. 

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 526

@lafleche, the short-term mask wearing mandates, state border restrictions (now mostly lifted) and the fact Aussies are banned from leaving the country without seeking permission aside, Australia's response to Covid has upheld civil liberties much better than most other countries in the world. Of course that's a relative statement, since many long standing liberties and freedoms have been infringed upon since March 2020, but compared with the rest of the world, Australia is just about the best place to be during this crisis. The one exception being Melbourne last year.

Australia has been known as a "nanny state" for many years, but surprisingly, other than in Melbourne (and later the rest of Victoria), which endured one of the world's harshest lockdowns including strict mandatory masking for 4 months last year, Australia's quarantine has been much less strict than most other countries. The USA, often cited as the "poster child" for upholding freedoms, has, depending on the state, imposed far greater restrictions than Australia as a whole and these mostly remain in force today. Even in states where mask mandates have been lifted, a myriad of federal and local laws, as well as decisions made by private businesses mean that masks still need to be worn in many settings in such states. For instance, in Texas, masks must still be worn on all public transport, federal buildings, schools and universities, hospitals generally speaking as well and many retailers. Some counties/cities also have their own ordinances they continue to apply.

Australia, along with New Zealand were the last countries in the world to impose mask mandates on board domestic flights.

I think it's good to look into what GoRobin has stated - this could be very useful for a lot of recent returnees.

The 14 day quarantine imposed on incoming arrivals (other than NZ) is another factor deterring many people from returning. This applies to myself as well. I won't be making any trip back home until the quarantine has been lifted. Even if it means waiting 12 or 24 more months from now.

02 Jul 2020

Total posts 19

I don't agree that Australia has upheld civil liberties per se, better than other countries - it has just been fortunate that Oz is emerging from 6 months of warmer weather and has low 'cases' and now that it is starting to cool down, that might change. Having lived in the UK and then returned to Australia in January I can honestly say that Oz is taking their quarantine very, very seriously. They still seem terrified of Cov here as well, relieved at how "lucky" they are that they are not anywhere else, where it is "really bad' (citing overflowing hospitals, people dropping dead in the street etc etc). 
I think Aussies like to think that they are completely free because they have open cafes and bars and masks are not everywhere, the way they are overseas. But they cannot leave the country. They need permits to cross state lines - you need to provide details of where you live, who you are visiting and their address. Masks are mandatory on domestic flights and in airports (I don't wear them and have an exemption but some state governments are making it up as they go along and demanding doctor's letters, which GP's don't generally write for obvious reasons) and on the ferry between mainland Australia and Tasmania - ironic given that everyone is travelling from a place with no covid to a place with no covid. The various restrictions and mask mandates in Melbourne have only just been lifted and that is as the place is coming out of summer. In Tasmania you are required to sign in with a QR code or track/trace app to attend an open air market (manned by people wearing masks, in the fresh air and blazing sunshine), and this is being mandated for ALL businesses in the state - in a place where there hasn't been a case in ten months. Social distancing signs are still everywhere. Stand here on this sticker. Not there. Here. Sanitiser at every store. Going to register your vehicle or update your license and you are stopped by security at the door, asking you all sorts of questions about where you've been and if you've been ill. Some places have locked down over a single case. People have been arrested (later released as the arrests are not lawful but that's another story) for not wearing masks. Those invasive procedures are here to stay. And mask mandates being introduced on domestic flights came later basically because hardly anyone was flying then, (whereas UK and Europe had kept a lot of travel open over their summer). That doesn't feel like a country that has preserved civil liberties. 
Upon returning to Australia from overseas, you have to fill in locator forms to even board the plane. When you arrive, you are served with papers before you leave the plane - all very official and important, telling you how well the Australian government has dealt with the pandemic and how you now have to quarantine to keep everyone safe, as if you didn't know this already. Then, the armed services and police are there herding everyone through the airport, taking temperatures and checking passports. You are ordered to stand in line (6 ft apart) and put onto a bus, at which point you still have no idea where you are headed. On arrival at the hotel you are given the run-down (another back slapping fest about how well they have it all under control) and told that you will 'get some good freedoms here' if you do what you are told. You are relegated to your room and told you will be tested on day 2 and day 10. Declining the test will earn you a further ten days in quarantine, but at no extra cost. No leaving your room. Security guard posted outside. Open the door to the nursing staff without your mask on and they lose their mind. Police escort the inmates out of the hotel on their last day - try leaving your room before they get there, the security guards have a hissy fit, yelling at you to GET BACK IN YOUR ROOM PLEASE! while frantically calling downstairs - despite the fact that you've been quarantined for all of that time. The level of fear is really crazy and that is outside of any lock down or stay at home order - that is in summer. 
So I wouldn't call Australia the land of the free in any sense that way; it's still a nanny state. And it will be interesting to see what happens over flu season.
If your quality of life is good where you are, I'd stay put. If I didn't have official stuff I had to do from here, I'd never have come back. I also know several people trying to leave (Mexico seems a popular choice - or Florida!).

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 526

Matilda, you're quite right. As I've stated, this is all about "relatively speaking" because civil liberties have been trampled upon everywhere on Earth, in ways unimaginable before March 2020. This of course includes Australia. It might almost be pointless talking up civil liberties, when nowhere on Earth do they still appear to be intact the way they more or less were pre-Covid.

And I did try to list the exceptions to that rule, acknowledging that greater Melbourne did in fact undergo one of the strictest mask mandates and lockdowns on Earth. Are all mask mandates now lifted in greater Melbourne and Victoria? Last I heard, they were still required to enter malls/shopping centres and on public transport, but rarely anywhere else.

Just that in Asia, things seem very authoritarian at the moment and I'm super jealous of Australians being allowed to walk around and enter public places without masks on. Of course it's not as black and white as that - the Queensland mask mandate still applies in some settings (I hear today is the day a decision is to be made as to whether to extend it or not) and even one or two cases could bring it back anywhere in the country. In Asia, away from tightly controlled settings in downtown areas of large cities, not everyone is wearing a mask and hardly anyone uses the tracing app anymore. After all, if it's not policed, people are simply going to do what feels most comfortable to them.

The hotel quarantine is very strict in China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and many other countries in the region too. Out of these, only Thailand has stated it will start allowing more activities and freedom for those being held in quarantine and of course they recently reduced the quarantine period down to 10 days and 11 nights from the previous 14 days/15 nights for arrivals from all countries except around 11 African countries (this list is periodically updated). 

Yes, I'm staying put for now - but I am concerned that if things continue to escalate, this may not be the country for me in the long-term. On the other hand, as I've mentioned, returning to Australia right now is a no go. A huge financial burden, lack of preparedness, need to quit jobs, sell vehicles and find temporary housing when we get back, definitely not the time to be considering such a move.

I can only hope that in a year from now, or 18-24 months, things will be looking a lot more normal.

05 Jan 2018

Total posts 56

Matilda- happily for the swedes, 97941 total deaths in 2020 which was lower than the total death rate in 2010 per Statistics Sweden since the population has been growing. also the total deaths over the last decade are available on Statistics Sweden's site and worth checking out.

interestingly globally deaths due to influenza were recorded as pretty much zero thereabouts in 2020. coincidence??

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