/ 28 September 2021

Mapping to roads to freedom

Image source: AAP
Image source: AAP

THE SQUIZ
Locked down Aussies are starting to get a hint of what life will be like when 70-80% of over 16yos are fully vaccinated. Under a plan released by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, from next month, fully jabbed residents will be able to travel anywhere in the state, stand up and have a drink at a pub, and have people over among other things. The ACT is also hoping for a happy October with its plan to ease restrictions. As for Victoria, further freedoms are in the pipeline when the state reaches its vaccination targets. Not feeling the freedom vibes just yet: those sans vax

WHAT ABOUT INTERSTATE TRAVEL?
We’ve got a Squiz Shortcut that covers how border closures work. But on how things stand today:

• NSW and Victoria – despite new daily cases and lockdowns, they want to see open borders when vaccination rates hit 80%.

• The ACT – well, it’s got new cases to deal with, so watch this space.

• South Oz – it’s not making promises, but once 80% of over 16yos are vaccinated, it could be game on for travellers.

• Tassie – it wants 90% of over 12yos vaccinated before it opens up…

• The Top End – it’s likely to maintain quarantine requirements for travellers from areas with new local cases regardless of vaccination rates.

• Queensland – Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to see the updated modelling at National Cabinet on Friday before making any promises.

• And Western Oz – forget it in 2021. Premier Mark McGowan says talk to the hand because the western face ain’t listenin’…

YIKES THAT’S COMPLICATED…
Welcome to cooperative federalism… And it saw Qantas yesterday cancel most of its flights scheduled from Western Oz to Victoria and NSW over the summer. Perth-to-London flights are off until at least April 2022 – it will be replaced with a daily Melbourne-Darwin-London service from December (aka when the airline expects the international border will be open). It’s a reminder that many Aussies could be travelling overseas before they are allowed into Western Oz…

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