Fiji to open up to Aussies

FIJI has announced that Australia and New Zealand will be included in a list of partner countries able to travel quarantine-free from 11 Nov (TD breaking news yesterday).

The only significant restriction will be the need for tourists to spend the first two days of their holiday in their hotel premises, with the country’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama keen to let travellers know they will “not be locked in a room”.

“[Tourists] can use all hotel amenities and get settled in, then a rapid diagnostic test taken 48 hours after their arrival will grant them free reign of safe-travel areas, where they can take part in tours that allow our tour operators to make a living, shop for souvenirs, and eat at restaurants,” he said.

Travellers will also need to show proof of vaccination and test negative for COVID 72 hours prior to departure.

The country will open formally to other nations from 01 Dec, with Jetstar and Qantas yesterday confirming direct flights from Sydney to Fiji will take off from mid-Dec, offering five weekly Jetstar flights from 17 Dec, and four Qantas flights from 19 Dec, equating to around 3,200 seats per week.

Jetstar fares over the summer period will lead in at $219 one way, while all-inclusive Qantas rates start at $358 one way.

Meanwhile Fiji Airways has announced that flights will resume for fully vaccinated travellers from 01 Dec, with the first scheduled to depart Sydney.

The carrier will launch 14 flights a week from Sydney twice a day, with daily flights from Melbourne and Brisbane also set to recommence shortly after.