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Travelers to Australia may need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Nov 24, 2020

2 MIN READ
Sasha Brady

Writer

Dublin

I'm a Dublin-based writer and digital editor for Lonely Planet, where I've been part of the team since 2018. Growing up in a family scattered around the world sparked a lifelong love of travel. There was always someone to visit somewhere. While my travels have taken me across Latin America, Australia and Europe, it's always the anticipation of the next adventure that excites me the most. My approach to travel is all about experiencing a place as locals do, delving into its culture through its m…

Qantas boss Alan Joyce says he believes international air passengers traveling into Australia will have to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 before being allowed to board their flight.

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In an interview with Channel Nine's A Current Affair in Australia on Monday, Alan Joyce outlined a potential vaccination policy for international travelers that could end Australia's travel ban. "We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travelers, that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft," he said. "Certainly for international visitors coming out, and people leaving the country. We think that’s a necessity."

"I think that’s going to be a common thing talking to my colleagues in other airlines around the globe," he added.

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While Qantas has yet to confirm vaccination proof will be required, the suggestion comes as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it is in the final stages of developing its IATA Travel Pass, a digital health pass that is currently being trialed to support the safe reopening of borders without the need for quarantine. The IATA says its Travel Pass will effectively "manage and verify the secure flow of necessary testing or vaccine information among governments, airlines, laboratories and travelers."

Covid app.jpg
Travelers to carry their Covid-19 test result in a standardised format © Luis Alvarez via Getty Images
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The Travel Pass is a digital health app that will enable passengers to find information on travel, testing and eventually vaccine requirements for their trip. It will connect travelers with testing centers and authorized labs, and enable them to create a 'digital passport' to receive test and vaccination certificates, and share them with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel.

"Today borders are double locked. Testing is the first key to enable international travel without quarantine measures. The second key is the global information infrastructure needed to securely manage, share and verify test data matched with traveler identities in compliance with border control requirements," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. "That’s the job of IATA Travel Pass."

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