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Covid

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Original poster

Would you stay and can i stay? Tourist in Australia

25 replies

badconnection · 19/03/2020 06:02

I'm currently in Australia visiting my son, I've been here a few weeks and have a flight back to the UK booked for the end of March, however, with Covid19 going as it is in the UK, I'm wondering if it is feasible to for me to remain with my son.

I am semi retired and self employed so don't think I will really have work to return to, and my tourist visa is actually for 6 months even though my trip was only for a month. What would you do, and can I actually stay in Australia to weather this storm?

My concerns would be over staying the tourist visa if I do stay, which would effect future visits, and also if I get sick and have to go to hospital I would not have healthcare so presumably would have to pay...

What would you do?

OP posts:

Twooter · 19/03/2020 06:03

Do you have travel insurance and can you extend it to cover your stay

turnandfacethenamechange · 19/03/2020 06:05

We're in a similar situation. Qantas keep emailing telling us to swap our flight for a credit. DHs visa expires the day we were due to leave. I think you can extend it bit many here seem to think you're unlikely to be penalised under the circs. We're in WA in the middle of nowhere so thinking we'll probably end up staying since DH has lost his job due to Covid and although no quit mine I'm now very unlikely to get another soon as my whole industry has fallen over.

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 06:18

I guess I would have to check with my travel insurer but not holding massive hope that they would extend.

OP posts:

MaitlandGirl · 19/03/2020 06:21

If you’re British there is a reciprocal health care agreement between the UK and AUS. You can get a visitors Medicare card if you end up staying longer (I think it’s blue).

With all the latest news on closing the borders have you checked that you’ll even be able to depart on your scheduled flight? It might have been cancelled.

Jobseeker19 · 19/03/2020 06:22

I would not come back here. It doesnt look too good at the moment.

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 19/03/2020 06:42

Well what is your situation there? Is it in the middle of a city? Are there children in the house?

bluetongue · 19/03/2020 07:43

I think it will be pretty difficult to get a flight home very soon. Australia as good as closed the border today

BrexpatInSwitzerland · 19/03/2020 07:46

Well, what's the situation on getting out of there anyway?

Now aware of another tourist stuck in Australia. Are people able to leave at all?

MrsMozartMkII · 19/03/2020 07:50

I'd stay there. Staying with your son and apart from that, the chances of flights coming in and out over the next 2-3 weeks are probably very limited (Disclaimer: I have no insider knowledge on the Government's plans regarding air travel!).

As PP said, check with your insurance.

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 07:55

I'm in Brisbane and there is a baby but no children so no school aged children to worry about, my son is working though so has to leave for work each day - he's unable to work from home in his role. His workplace are trying to be safer etc

They are banning international flights IN from tomorrow at 9pm to non-australian citizen and residents I believe from seeing the news today but at the moment our scheduled flight OUT to the UK on the 30th hasn't been effected.

I'm worried if I breach a visa by overstaying that it will effect me being able to visit my family here again in the future.

I'm 65 by the way so UK is a scary thought.

OP posts:

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 07:56

@MaitlandGirl

Good to know re the blue Medicare card, I will have to have a Google!

OP posts:

Ginandplatonic · 19/03/2020 08:00

What airline are you flying? Qantas and Virgin have both cancelled all international flights, not sure from when though.

I don’t think we (Oz) will ultimately be in any better a position than the UK in terms of spread of the virus though.

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 08:03

The flight is with Emirates

OP posts:

ShastaBeast · 19/03/2020 08:09

I’d be tempted to stay. Unless family links back home are a concern.

Australia is far more sparsely populated than the UK so may be better off in this crisis.

Five months from now may be a better situation here. Both in terms of virus spreading and the nhs provision. Just keep safe either way.

StartupRepair · 19/03/2020 08:13

Figures in Australia are starting to spike. Bear in mind we are coming into autumn and winter. Our government is bumbling around and refusing to close schools.
It's not a safe haven here.

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 11:10

Thanks @StartupRepair I'm trying not to panic (although it's hard not to feel it) and thinking if the flight home is cancelled it will solve the problem for me, but you are right, the UK is just coming out of its normal flu season whereas Australia is entering theirs so now is just the beginning here.

OP posts:

CamillaBeauchamp · 19/03/2020 11:21

You need to check your visa - you don't want to be in the position where you overstay.

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 11:48

Yes have checked and it's actually only 3 months tourist visa not 6, which makes it more tricky - question is try and find an earlier flight or hope the original flight goes ahead

OP posts:

StartupRepair · 19/03/2020 20:53

If you want to be back I would get on the first flight you can. If you want to stay I would contact Dept of Home Affairs and ask for advice. There must be many people in this situation. It's a tough situation for you to decide.

Original poster

badconnection · 19/03/2020 21:36

We were looking at flights last night, unfortunately I don't think the original flight would be refundable unless the UK locks down or Emirates cancel the flight. I will have a look on UK govt website to see what it recommends for travellers currently overseas.

OP posts:

MaitlandGirl · 20/03/2020 00:23

The Aus govt is extending visas for anyone on a working holidays visa who is stuck here because their home country has locked down.

I can’t imagine that they won’t do this for all other visa holders.

StartupRepair · 21/03/2020 20:02

@badconnection what did you decide?

ittakes2 · 21/03/2020 20:30

Take yourself to a Medicare office with your passport and airline tickets and they will give you a temporary Medicare card. It’s an arrangement the uk has with Australia and I have done it for my hubby. I would check how many respirators they have in Australia and compare it to the uk before I made my decision. We are in lockdown in the uk - Australia is behind the uk so you might be better off staying as the longer things go on the more Australia can learn from Europe’s experiences and apply this knowledge to cases in Oz.

Original poster

badconnection · 22/03/2020 01:06

At the moment still waiting for originally scheduled flight, Emirates don't want me to call unless flight is within 48hrs and travel agent doesn't want me to call unless flight is within 7 days which will be Monday so will hopefully get in touch with them then and see what they have to say.

OP posts:

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 22/03/2020 01:29

Your flight will probably be cancelled. If planes aren’t flying in, they can’t fly out either. If you want to leave you really need to get a flight ASAP, and it won’t be cheap. If you want to stay then I wouldn’t worry too much about your visa, they will have to extend it as there will be lots of people in your situation. Good luck!

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