PCR testing for overseas arrivals no longer required for Australia!

PCR testing for Overseas arrivals no longer required for Australia!

The Federal Government announced new rules for overseas travellers on Friday evening. Travellers to Australia will no longer be required to produce a negative PCR test result to enter the country. They can, instead, produce a negative RAT test within 24 hours of departure.

These rules will come into effect at 1 am on Sunday, January 23 and are expected to allow greater flexibility for travellers. A RAT is now considered to be an acceptable indicator of whether a traveller has COVID-19 before travelling.

Additionally, for those who test positive when overseas, the mandatory waiting period before travelling has been halved. Earlier, this time was two weeks from the positive test result, but now travellers to Australia are required to wait only seven days pre-departure.

These mandates, including the pre-departure testing requirements, will continue to be reviewed regularly and will take into consideration the domestic and international epidemiology.

As earlier, all travellers to Australia must wear a mask at all times in airports and on the aircraft. On arrival, they will be required to obey each state’s regulations for testing and isolation.