New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions – Southern Africa
The federal government has announced that new travel restrictions and quarantine rules will be in place from 27 November 2021.
The new border security measures are in place to protect Australians from the COVID-19 ‘Omicron’ variant of concern currently present in the community of South Africa and other neighbouring countries.
The travel restrictions and new quarantine arrangements are now in place for those who have been in the following destinations in the last 14 days:
- South Africa
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- Namibia
- Botswana
- Zimbabwe
- Seychelles
- Mozambique
- Malawi
How the restrictions are being applied
The travel restrictions and quarantine arrangements apply to Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members (including parents) entering Australia who have been to the above listed destinations in the last 14 days.
Any other travellers who have been in any of the listed destinations in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter Australia, even if they hold a travel exemption, eligible visa or are seeking to enter under a Safe Travel Zone arrangement.
Direct flights from the listed countries to Australia have also been suspended for a period of 14 days.
New quarantine arrangements
The new quarantine rules apply irrespective of the traveller’s vaccination status.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members entering Australia who have been to any of the listed destinations in the last 14 days must enter supervised quarantine for 14 days and be tested, in line with state and territory requirements.
Anyone who has already arrived in Australia from one of the listed countries within the past 14 days must also isolate for 14 days.
To support these measures, those travelling to Australia who hold a travel exemption, eligible visa or are seeking to enter under a Safe Travel Zone arrangement must make a declaration regarding their last 14 days travel history, and undertake post-arrival testing in line with state and territory requirements.
Further Information
If you would like any further information regarding the recently announced travel restrictions and quarantine arrangements, or for assistance with your travel exemption matter, please contact our office.