For the first time since late March, Australians returning from overseas may soon be able to avoid mandatory hotel quarantine.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday said Canberra was considering allowing international arrivals from select "safe" countries to self-isolate at home.
Mr Morrison referenced Denmark as an example of a country that allows some travellers to enter it without quarantining.
But several others, including the UK and Singapore, have similar arrangements, as they take steps towards resuming normal travel arrangements.
Denmark
In Denmark, countries are either listed as being "open" — where people from these countries can enter for any reason without the need of mandatory quarantine — or "banned".
People from banned countries are only allowed entry if they have a "worthy purpose", in which case it's recommended they self-quarantine.
On June 27, Denmark reopened its borders to international tourists from European Union nations except for Sweden and Portugal, where COVID-19 case numbers were still considered too high.
The list of "safe" countries later expanded to allow Portugal and several countries outside of the EU, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
However, the list can change depending on the number of active cases a foreign nation has.
Countries that were previously "open", including Belgium, Croatia, the UK and France, are now on the "banned" list.
United Kingdom
Travellers from countries on the UK's "travel corridor" list do not need to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
The list includes more than 40 countries, territories and regions, including Australia, Fiji and Malaysia.
Denmark was recently removed from the list due to a surge in cases there.
Any entry from countries not on the travel corridor list, or stopovers in those nations, means passengers have to self-isolate at their nominated address for 14-days, or receive a 1,000 pound ($1,810) fine.
The list is constantly under review, and border closures or self-isolation requirements can be reintroduced if coronavirus cases worsen.
Last Saturday, Curacao, Denmark, Iceland and Slovakia were removed from the travel corridor, while Singapore and Thailand were added.
The variable nature of the travel corridor has in some instances caused confusion.
The removal of Portugal — a popular tourist destination — from the list, less than three weeks after it was added caused particular angst among some British holidaymakers who rushed to book earlier return flights to the UK.
United States
Travellers who have been to China, Iran, the UK, EU Schengen countries, Ireland or Brazil in the 14 days prior to arriving in the US are barred from entry, unless they are a citizen, permanent resident or have extenuating circumstances.
As recently as a few weeks ago, the US had required all incoming international flights to land at one of 15 designated airports, with enhanced health screenings in place for passengers.
But new rules brought in earlier this month mean travellers who have not been to any of the prohibited countries in the past two weeks are now able to enter at any airport, and it is only recommended that they self-monitor and stay home "to the extent possible" for 14 days.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also categorised international travel destinations into four levels: "very low", "low", "moderate" and "high" COVID-19 risk.
The vast majority of countries, including Australia, are currently "high risk", with five considered "moderate" and only Cambodia, Thailand, New Zealand and St Barts deemed "low risk".
Japan
Japan placed a strict re-entry ban on foreign nationals who left before the national state of emergency in April, making it the only G7 country to distinguish between citizens and permanent residents.
It eventually re-opened its borders to some permanent and long-term residents in July, before further loosening restrictions in early September to allow all foreign nationals with residency status to return.
However, foreign nationals who have visited one of the 159 countries and territories that are currently on Japan's banned list within 14 days of arrival are still barred, except under "exceptional circumstances", such as health emergencies or to attend a relative's funeral.
Citizens returning from any of the entry ban countries are still able to enter Japan, but must undergo a coronavirus test on arrival, quarantine for 14 days at a designated location determined by health officials, and avoid all public transport.
Tokyo has also recently announced it will start to allow international students to enter sometime in October, but there are still no plans to welcome tourists in the near future.
Singapore
In Singapore, a bilateral agreement with Malaysia, which allows residents of both countries who hold long-term immigration passes to travel back and forth, and a "reciprocal green lane" have made cross-border travel for essential business possible.
A green lane has also been established between China, Japan and South Korea, with slight differing terms.
Japanese and South Koreans must follow a controlled itinerary for the first 14-days in Singapore, and Chinese entrants must only come from six specified provinces.
General travel to and from Brunei and New Zealand is also allowed but has conditions placed upon it, such as arrivals undergoing a coronavirus test.
Travel from countries with more severe coronavirus outbreaks is possible, but arrivals must undergo quarantine in a Government facility.
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2020-09-29 17:13:00Z
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