Mandatory Quarantine
The below are details on the quarantine process in Australia.
QUARANTINE
When you arrive in Australia, you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival. Vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding your flight does not change this quarantine requirement. You will not be permitted to travel domestically or continue on any domestic connections until you have completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine period. Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and applicable state legislation, you will have to remain in the allocated accommodation until you’re medically cleared to enter the Australian community. You may be tested for COVID-19 during your quarantine period. If you refuse to participate in health checks and COVID-19 testing, you will be required to quarantine for 24 full days.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Hotel quarantine is pre-arranged and organised when arriving at Sydney Airport. You do not need to make any bookings in advance, and transportation to the hotel will be provided.
Due to the number of arrivals, the location of your hotel will be determined on the day, based on hotel capacity. All quarantine hotels are located in Sydney.
When the plane lands, border officials will board the plane and give you instructions. You will be guided through the airport and won’t have the opportunity to shop.
When you go through customs, you will receive a health screen, including a temperature check, to see whether you have symptoms of COVID-19. You should tell an official if you are feeling unwell. They are there to look after you.
Transport to the quarantine facility will be arranged for you. You may not know which facility you be quarantining in until you arrive there.
It can help to bring snacks and water with you (check what is allowed by customs). You will not be able to buy food in the airport and it may be some time before your first meal at the hotel.
IN QUARANTINE
Limited movement: You will need to stay in your allocated room for 14 days and you will not be able to have visitors. Officials are trying to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, access to a balcony or open window cannot be guaranteed. There will be measures in place to keep you safe and prevent COVID-19 spreading.
Food: You will be given three meals per day. Food varies across different facilities. You should tell hotel staff if you have food allergies or other dietary requirements.
Health services: You may be tested for COVID-19 in the first 48 hours and then between days 10 to 12 of quarantine. If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be looked after for as long as necessary, possibly in a different facility such as a hospital. Someone may contact you each day to check your health and wellbeing – but do not wait if you need help. You will have access to various health services if you need them.
Hotel facilities: You can expect services and facilities that can be provided to your room without social interaction; for example, laundry services at your expense, and deliveries for things you order or have dropped off by family and friends. You can also expect basic Wi-Fi, a telephone, and a television. Due to COVID-19 measures, staff will not be able to enter or clean your room for you. You will not be able to use other hotel facilities like the spa, gym, or restaurant. You will be able to contact hotel reception for more information about services and facilities, as well as support staff who are there for your health and wellbeing.
Alcohol and smoking: You might not be able to bring in or have alcohol delivered from elsewhere. There may be a limit on the amount of alcohol you can order from the hotel. You will not be able to smoke in your room. This may mean you will not be able to smoke for the duration of your quarantine stay.
When to wear a mask: When someone knocks on your door to deliver food, put your mask on and wait 30 seconds before opening the door. Also wear a mask when
- you place rubbish outside your door
- you place linen outside your door
- you are told to leave your room
- you move around the hotel when checking in and checking out
TESTING DURING QUARANTINE
You will be tested on several occasions for COVID-19 throughout the quarantine period. Even if the result is negative, you will need to remain in quarantine.
If you test positive for COVID-19 during your stay, you will be assessed by a medical team and transferred to the facility that best suits your healthcare needs. This may be a hospital, or a quarantine facility managed by NSW Health clinicians, known as Special Health Accommodation.
Transferring you enables specialised staff to monitor and support you until you have recovered and are no longer infectious. The clinical staff will work with you to determine if any travelling companions can be safely transferred with you. This will be dependent on your health, their health, individual circumstances, and potential risks.
Penalties apply if you refuse to stay in quarantine.
Not following the quarantine rules is a criminal offence and attracts heavy penalties.
For individuals, the maximum penalty is $11,000, 6 months in prison, or both with a further $5,500 fine for each day the offence continues.
VISITORS
When you are in quarantine, no visitors will be allowed in the hotel or your room.
While family and friends cannot visit, hotel staff can help bring care packages from your family and friends to your hotel room.