With state and national borders re-opening over the coming weeks, many are excited by the prospect of travel.
This is a rapidly changing situation and details are still being finalised by state and commonwealth governments. Double vaccinated Australians can travel overseas without an exemption. The details for the returning traveller have not been finalised but we expect a relaxation of our current quarantine restrictions.
The first countries we can travel to will include the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Singapore due to their higher vaccination rates and robust health infrastructure. It is predicted that travel to popular destinations, such as New Zealand, Bali, Fiji, Japan, and other Asian destinations, will be possible early in 2022. It is unlikely travel to countries with low vaccination rates, such as those in Africa and South America, will be recommended for some time.
Due to the devastating effect of Covid-19, public health programs of many developing countries to eliminate illnesses such as malaria, TB, polio and typhoid have been disrupted. The monitoring and reporting of these illnesses have also been affected, as countries divert their resources to treating Covid illness and delivering Covid vaccines.
Bulli Medical Practice offers a comprehensive travel medicine service and can advise on vaccinations and preventative measures, such as malaria prophylaxis. Ensure that routine vaccinations such as tetanus, measles, polio and influenza are up to date prior to travel. We stock the full range of travel vaccinations, including Yellow Fever, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid, cholera and Hepatitis A and B.
Do consider how your destination is managing the pandemic and how stretched its health infrastructure is. You may face problems accessing health care if you become ill or have an accident while overseas. Travel insurance will need to be closely scrutinised. Smarttraveller has partnered with Choice to give advice for buying travel insurance, including cover for travelling during the Covid pandemic. According to Choice, some travel insurers now offer limited cover for Covid-19.
Acquaint yourself with the entry requirements for each country you intend to visit. You will need an International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate and a recent negative Covid test. You may be required to quarantine upon entry. Change is the only constant with Covid, so seek reliable advice before you go. Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Julie Blaze graduated from Newcastle University in 1986 and worked as a General Practitioner in Sydney until she took over Bulli Medical Practice from the late Dr William Feneley in 1999. She has a special interest in Chronic Disease Management, Travel Medicine, Women’s Health, Weight Management and Aged Care. Julie supervises medical students from the University of Wollongong and General Practice Registrars from GP Synergy. In her spare time Julie enjoys family life, cooking, yoga, reading, exercising, walking her dog and travelling.
