The requirement for COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK will be scrapped next month, the UK government has announced. Eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK will “no longer have to take a post-arrival lateral flow test” from 4 a.m. on Feb. 11, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the House…
Australian Federal Police Launch Investigation Into RATs Price Gouging
The Australian Federal Police has launched an investigation into rapid antigen test (RAT) price gouging and has warned that individuals and businesses selling COVID-19 tests for more than 20 percent of the original retail purchase rate will face five years’ imprisonment or a $66,000 fine. AFP Assistant Commissioner Crime Command Nigel Ryan said there would be…
Disability Support Sector “Cut to the Bones” as Staff Furloughed Due to Virus
People with disability are missing out on vital services as a large number of the sectors aid workers have been forced into COVID-19 isolation across the country. Health and Community Services Union official Róisín McGee said as many as 20 percent of carers were furloughed as they are either isolating or sick with the virus,…
Rapid Antigen Tests Replace PCR in Australia’s Northern Territory
Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) have replaced PCR in the Nothern Territory to speed up testing and recording of positive cases. Chief Minister Michael Gunner made the announcement on Thursday, highlighting that the last few weeks have shown that speed of testing provides an advantage over Omicron. “Territorians don’t have to wait as long to get…
Australian PM Dismisses Free COVID-19 Tests Amidst Pressure
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has asserted the government will not be making rapid antigen tests free, despite growing calls from the Labor government to make them available for everyone. Following widespread shortages of the rapid tests and large queues at PCR testing clinics across the country, the prime minister said the tests wouldn’t be…
Australia Narrows ‘Close Contact’ Definition to Overcome COVID-19 Testing Backlog
Five Australian jurisdictions have agreed on a new definition for a COVID-19 “close contact,” which will relieve PCR testing clinics from overwhelming queues and help keep the economy running. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that from midnight of Dec. 31, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory will change their…
NSW Cuts Quarantine Time for Health Workers Amid COVID-19 Testing Backlog
New South Wales (NSW) has reduced the quarantine time for healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19, cutting it from 14 days to seven in a bid to better cope with rising hospitalisation and ongoing mass testing. Around 2,000 health workers have been furloughed due to quarantine requirements around close contacts. NSW Health issued a statement on…
Laos to Target Chinese Tourists Under Green Zone Travel
Laos’ Information, Culture, and Tourism Ministry have outlined plans to reopen the country to domestic and foreign tourists in 2022 under the “Lao Travel Green Zone programme,” reported Vientiane Times on Dec. 8. Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said the government would focus its campaign to draw visitors from China and Korea, according to CCP mouthpiece Xinhua….
Canada Will Drop Testing Requirement for Short Cross-Border Trips Starting Nov. 30
Beginning at the end of the month, fully vaccinated Canadians returning from the United States after trips lasting less than 72 hours will no longer have to produce a negative PCR test, says Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. The latest policy change will cover citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act when they…
Interstate Christmas Holiday May Cost Families Thousands of Dollars in COVID Tests
International travellers entering Australia are facing up to $450 per person for COVID-19 testing, with a maximum fee of $1,800 for a family of four. The tourism industry is calling on the government to allow international travellers to use cheaper rapid antigen tests so that the expensive testing fees do not cripple tourism recovery. Medicare…
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