4 • THE CAMBERWELL CITIZEN • ISSUE #13
GET READY TO ROAM AGAIN With some careful planning and organisation, you can enjoy international travel again. Here’s how.
Starting to think about international travel, not just dream about it? Flying overseas is a reality again with Australia’s international border reopening after being shut for nearly two years due to the pandemic. Whether you want to visit family and friends, reschedule that long overdue holiday or simply have a travel itch that needs to be scratched, there are a few more things that need to be taken into consideration when planning a trip in a post‑COVID world. With the virus still circulating, and changing, it’s understandable to feel some apprehension. But with planning, expert advice and some flexibility, it’s possible to see the world again. Here’s what you need to know if you’re setting your sights abroad.
BEFORE YOU BOOK Even before the pandemic, there was a lot to consider before packing your bags. On top of your travel dates, destination, accommodation, visas and activities, you’ll need to consider things like entry requirements, pre and post-departure PCR tests, and proof of vaccination. Flight changes and cancellations are also more common. “Have your dates but be flexible and be prepared for things to change,” said Natalie Daw, owner of Helloworld Camberwell. “Give yourself a buffer of time. Don’t book the return flight the day before you start work.” While airlines have offered flexible conditions and cancellation policies during the pandemic, you can’t assume that you’ll escape fees if you show up to the airport without a PCR test or the correct paperwork. “It’s not the airline’s responsibility to tell you that you need a
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border pass; it’s your responsibility,” Ms Daw said. “Airlines will allow you to make a change for free, but they’re starting to crack down on that. They’re not going to waive fees for ignorance.” And just because a seat is for sale on an airline’s website doesn’t mean travel to that destination is guaranteed on the day. Border restrictions, entry requirements and transiting rules are very fluid at the moment as countries and regions balance reopening with public health. “The rules are changing overnight,” Ms Daw said. “Something can be correct one day and it changes the next. “It’s hard to do it on your own, which is why more people are coming back to a travel agent. With everything that’s changing, it’s good to have that human interaction. It’s a new ball game but we’re doing it every day.” When considering destinations, your travel agent and the government’s Smart Traveller website are your two most reliable sources of information.
Natalie Daw, owner of Helloworld Camberwell
