Overseas travel ban Australia: what it means for bookings

Overseas travel ban Australia talk now covers two separate rules. The first is the government's "do not travel" advice for Australians, issued on 18 March 2020. The second is a ban on non-citizens and non-residents entering Australia, which began at 9pm on 20 March 2020. If you hold a booking for an overseas trip, the first rule matters most, and it changes how airlines and insurers treat you.

This guide explains each rule in plain terms, what it does to flights, tours and insurance, and the steps to take now.

Sources for this section: Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door (18 March 2020); Prime Minister of Australia, Border restrictions (19 March 2020).

The "do not travel" advice

On 18 March 2020, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade raised its Smartraveller advice to Level 4 for every country. Level 4 is the highest of four levels. It had only been used for single countries or regions before. The advice now reads "Do not travel overseas at this time."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was blunt about it. He told Australians thinking about overseas trips in the school holidays: "don't."

The advice also tells people who are already abroad to come home. If you wish to return, it says to do so as soon as possible by commercial means. DFAT warns that borders are closing and that you may not be able to get home when you planned.

Sources for this section: Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door (18 March 2020).

The entry ban for non-residents

On 19 March 2020, the Prime Minister announced that Australia would close its borders to all non-citizens and non-residents. The ban takes effect from 9pm AEDT on Friday 20 March 2020.

Some people are exempt. These are Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, including spouses, legal guardians and dependants. New Zealand citizens who live in Australia are also exempt. Citizens and residents who return must still spend 14 days in strict self-isolation.

The government gave its reason: around 80 per cent of coronavirus cases in Australia were people who caught the virus overseas, or who had direct contact with someone who had returned. For a traveller based in Australia, this ban mostly affects visitors. It does not stop you coming home.

Sources for this section: Prime Minister of Australia, Border restrictions (19 March 2020); Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door (18 March 2020).

What it means for flights

Airlines were cutting services before the new advice arrived. On Tuesday 17 March, Qantas said it would cut international capacity by 90 per cent. On 18 March, Virgin Australia said it would suspend all international flying by the end of the month. Singapore Airlines said it would cut capacity by 50 per cent in April, and United Airlines said it would cut its international flying by 85 per cent.

DFAT warns that commercial air travel may be less available as more airlines ground flights. In practice, this means three things for a booking:

• Your flight may be cancelled by the airline, even if you still want to go.
• Your return flight may disappear while you are away, so a trip can get longer than planned.
• The government has said it is talking with airlines about keeping some international flights running to bring Australians home and to move freight.

If you are overseas and have a seat home, think hard before giving it up.

Sources for this section: Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door (18 March 2020); Prime Minister of Australia, Border restrictions (19 March 2020).

What it means for travel insurance

Insurance is where many travellers get caught. Airline Ratings reports that travellers who choose to go despite Level 4 advice are warned their travel insurance might be void, because most standard policies do not cover "do not travel" destinations.

Coronavirus claims were already limited. World Nomads, for example, said it would no longer cover claims linked to coronavirus for travel to or from China under policies bought from 5pm AEDT on 23 January 2020. For the rest of the world, the cut-off was policies bought from 6am AEDT on 31 January 2020. A policy bought after those times is unlikely to pay out for coronavirus costs.

Policies differ, and many contain exclusions for epidemics, pandemics, government prohibitions or government advice against travel. Read your policy wording, including the exclusions, before you decide anything. Ask your insurer what it will cover. Do not assume.

Sources for this section: Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door (18 March 2020); World Nomads, Coronavirus Travel Alert: Update March 19, 2020.

What to do with your booking

1. Check your travel dates. If you are not yet abroad, the advice is not to go.
2. Contact your airline or travel operator. Many companies are working to rearrange flights, tours and accommodation, and some will offer a change or credit. Write down who you spoke to and when.
3. Ask your insurer in writing what your policy covers and what it excludes.
4. Keep every receipt and keep your costs as low as you can. If you claim later, the insurer will ask for proof.
5. If you are already overseas, follow the advice of local authorities. Take care to limit your exposure to the virus, including by self-isolating. DFAT says its ability to give consular help may be limited by restrictions on movement.

Rules are changing fast, so check smartraveller.gov.au before you act on anything in this guide.

Sources for this section: World Nomads, Coronavirus Travel Alert: Update March 19, 2020; Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door (18 March 2020); Prime Minister of Australia, Border restrictions (19 March 2020).

Sources

1. Airline Ratings, Australians told not to travel overseas as Europe shuts door, 18 March 2020: airlineratings.com
2. Prime Minister of Australia, Border restrictions, 19 March 2020: scottmorrison.com.au
3. World Nomads, Coronavirus Travel Alert: Update March 19, 2020: worldnomads.com