Australia to tighten booster shot rules for aviation workers

The Australian government is considering changes to the current vaccination rules for frontline aviation workers. 

On January 9, 2022, Prime Minister Scott Morrison informed Australian media that the government is currently considering making further changes to vaccine mandates and the existing isolation policy for frontline aviation workers.  

Under new rules, fully-vaccinated aviation employees assigned to high-risk frontline workers, including medical staff and teachers, will soon see their existing vaccine mandate extended to include a third dose.  

To decrease the pressure across various industries and supply chains caused by the pandemic, the government is also considering changing “close contact” rules for frontline aviation workers.  

Under the current policy, close contacts must take a COVID-19 test and isolate for seven days. This has led to cancelled flights, as well as supply chain disruptions across Australia.  

The new rules will allow fully-vaccinated aviation employees to exit isolation and return to their duties, even if they have been exposed to the virus, as long as they show no COVID-19 symptoms.