Despite the country’s first Omicron death and a quick surge in Covid-19 cases, Australia’s foreign borders will continue to remain open with no new restrictions for international students.
Administrators abstained from implementing new limits, citing low hospitalization rates. The new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, which looks to be more contagious but less virulent than earlier strains, started to spread just as Australia’s international borders reopened after being closed since late March. Its case count, on the other hand, has risen to the highest level of the pandemic. The increase in illnesses is putting a strain on testing services across the country.
“Although we are seeing increased case numbers … we are not seeing the impacts on our hospital system,” said Annastacia Palaszczuk, premier of Queensland which reported 784 new cases with four people in hospital.
The Sydney testing facility SydPath had revealed a day before that it had incorrectly told 400 Covid-positive persons they were negative in the days leading up to Christmas; on December 27, it discovered it had issued incorrect result messages to a further 995 people.
In the face of rising case numbers, authorities have avoided blocking Australia’s international borders, but have imposed some domestic restrictions.
At this moment, international students traveling to Australia could be confused about flight, arrival, and quarantine plans. International students are already arriving in Australia via trial programs and border exemptions, and more students are projected to arrive.
Currently, states and territories have different policies for border access and quarantine, which may alter as the influence of the Omicron variation on infection rates are studied.
Before entering Australian borders, all visitors must have a negative PCR Covid-19 test. The test must be completed 72 hours before your journey to Australia. Within 24 hours after your arrival, an additional PCR test will be required.
The Salvation Army and the Australian Red Cross provide non-discriminatory assistance to the general population of international students in Australia. St Vincent de Paul Society, Metro Assist, and Job Match provide assistance with finances, food, health, employment, and tenancy across all states and NSW.
NSW made it mandatory to check into public events using QR codes once again, from Monday onwards while numerous states reinstated required mask-wearing in indoor public areas. In the face of rising case numbers, authorities have avoided blocking Australia’s international borders, but have imposed some domestic restrictions.
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