Travel may be back on, but a COVID interstate trip may not seem as easy as simply hopping on a plane.
Canberra's testing sites are bursting at the seams due to PCR mandates in place to visit certain states within Australia, a protocol which had the Canberra Airport chief executive up in arms.
With testing lines garnering wait times of up to four hours, it is worth knowing if the queue is really worth it.
Some states are allowing free passage for Canberrans to visit while some do require a test before entry.
The Canberra Times has complied a list of the most up-to-date information about visiting each state and territory in Australia.
This publication recommends contacting the relevant state's travel coronavirus web page for the most relevant information.
New South Wales
Travel to any part of NSW is open to residents of the ACT, with the state not requiring a declaration form to enter.
Canberrans must adhere to close and casual contact rules deemed by the NSW government and should not travel during the relevant isolation period before getting tested.
A close contact in NSW requires a seven-day isolation and a PCR test immediately and on day six. A negative result on day six will stop the isolation on day seven and NSW Health also asks for a test 12 days later.
Casual contacts in NSW have to get a test immediately and must isolate until that test comes back negative. A second test needs to be conducted on day six but no isolation is required.
NSW has also brought back mask mandates for indoor settings.
Victoria
ACT residents can enter Victoria without needing a permit.
Victoria also has implemented mask mandates for indoor and high risk settings and QR code check-ins are also enforced.
Anyone with symptoms should get tested before entering the state.
Fully vaccinated Canberrans would need to isolate for seven days if a household contact became positive to COVID-19 in Victoria.
Social contacts need to isolate until a negative PCR test is returned.
A number of event spaces in Victoria also require proof of vaccination status.
Queensland
The sunshine state is allowing fully vaccinated ACT residents to enter, however there are number of strings attached.
Canberrans must apply for a Queensland Entry Pass and declare they have come from a registered hot spot zone.
The entire ACT has been deemed a hotspot by the Queensland Government.
The entry pass is applicable to any traveller arriving by land, sea or air.
A PCR test is also needed 72 hours before arrival into Queensland and this must return a negative result.
From January 1, rapid antigen tests will suffice as the test upon entry and will be declared on arrival.
The Queensland government has recently dumped the day five PCR test requirement as a condition of entry.
Indoor mask mandates are also in place within the state's airports.
Close contacts in Queensland have to isolate for seven days if they are fully vaccinated, with PCR test on day one and five. A non-vaccinated close contact must isolate for 14 days.
Low-risk casual contacts do not require testing and quarantine, while other forms of casual contacts require immediate PCR testing and quarantine until a negative result is returned.
Tasmania
Theapple isle also has strict rules of entry.
Tasmania has declared the ACT a COVID-19 hotspot which means a PCR test must be conducted 72 hours before arrival.
The hotspot is applicable for anyone who has been in the ACT for the past 14 days before travelling. This means going through Victoria or another state would not avoid the travel permit.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has flagged the state is looking to move to accepting rapid tests instead of PCRs.
Registration is also required through Tas E-Travel and proof of vaccination will be needed before entry.
Non-vaccinated will need to undergo hotel quarantine which will incur fees.
If either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test is not provided on arrival, a traveller will be forced to quarantine.
A person who can provide evidence of vaccination but no PCR will need to quarantine until a test comes back negative.
If you are not able to show proof of vaccination, you will need to apply for approval by the deputy state controller. A rejected claim will see a traveller returned to their original point of departure.
Mask mandates are in place for Tasmanian airports. The permits are applicable for land and sea entries to the island.
South Australia
Travellers wishing to head to South Australia will need to get tested before entering the state.
However, unlike Tasmania and Queensland, SA is allowing fully vaccinated traveller to enter with just a rapid antigen test instead of a PCR.
Rapid test declarations are done through SA's border entry pass.
A test on day six is also no longer required for people travelling from Canberra.
Unvaccinated people must apply for an exemption with the South Australian government.
People who have been deemed a close contact in the ACT will be barred from entering the state until the seven-day quarantine period has ended and a negative test has been returned.
Entry permits are applicable for arrivals by air and land border crossings.
Northern Territory
Fully vaccinated Canberrans are able to visit the Northern Territory but will need to complete a border entry form if travelling by land, sea or air.
A negative PCR test result is also needed before entering the territory and a rapid antigen test will also need to be conducted on day three and six.
The rapid tests are then recorded via an online declaration form.
Travellers must also wear masks for up to seven days in exclusion zones following arrival into the territory.
Unvaccinated travellers are not welcome.
Western Australia
The Western Australian border remains closed to ACT residents, but is expected to open in early February.
If essential travel is needed to get into WA, an exemption from the state government is needed and a 12-day quarantine will need to be undertaken.
A PCR test 72 hours before arrival will also be required before entry.
