NSW and Victoria scrap 72 hour isolation period for international arrivals
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Dec 17, 2021 05:01
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Fully-vaccinated international arrivals no longer have to isolate for 72 hours in both Victoria and New South Wales. In a joint release, the premiers of NSW and Victoria said the changes were a result of high vaccination rates and would "streamline" processes for airlines and travellers.
From Tuesday, December 21, overseas arrivals to Melbourne and Sydney will be required to get a COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours of landing, and isolate at home until they return a negative result.
Rules for unvaccinated travellers remain the same, with those 18 years or older required to do 14 days of hotel quarantine once they arrive.
The two states now have consistent COVID-19 requirements governing their international borders.
But, under NSW's guidelines, travellers must also get a follow-up test on the sixth day after their arrival, whereas those in Victoria need to get tested between days five and seven.
The changes come around three weeks after NSW and Victoria tightened border rules, introducing a 72-hour isolation mandate in response to the Omicron variant.
