COVID-19 information for international arrivals
If you are arriving in NSW from overseas, follow this advice to protect yourself and people around you from COVID-19.
Who is this information for?
This information applies to anyone who arrives in NSW from a country outside Australia in the last 14 days. This includes if you:
- have come to Australia on a flight from an overseas country
- have arrived on a vessel (e.g. cruise ship) that has travelled to an international port.
What should I do before I travel to NSW?
If you are travelling to Australia, see entering and leaving Australia for more information.
What should I do when I arrive in NSW?
It is not mandatory to have a COVID-19 test after arriving in NSW if you have travelled overseas. Masks are not mandatory in airports, cruise terminals or on public transport in NSW.
However, it is important to remember that travelling and interacting closely with people can put you at increased risk of COVID-19. NSW Health recommends people wear masks where they cannot physically distance from others, in crowded, indoor places, and in settings where there are people who at high risk of severe illness.
You are at risk of testing positive to COVID-19 for up to 14 days after being exposed to someone with the virus. Most people will test positive in the first 7 days. This is why it is important to be careful to protect the people around you, especially those who are at higher risk of severe illness, during this time.
To protect your loved ones and everyone around you, it is recommended that you monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 after arrival. If you develop symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 and stay home until your symptoms have resolved, even if you receive a negative result.
Please see What COVID-19 test should I do? and PCR testing clinic locations in NSW.
How else can I help slow the spread of COVID-19 while I am in NSW?
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, follow the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 advice to help stop the spread.
We can help protect each other from COVID-19. Find out more on Together we can stay COVID safe.
What if I test positive to COVID-19 in NSW?
If you test positive to COVID-19, follow the advice in Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home.
Stay home until your symptoms resolve, and don't visit people at high risk of severe illness, or anyone in high-risk settings, such as hospitals, aged or disability care facilities for at least 7 days.
If you have to leave the house wear a mask when indoors and on public transport, avoid large gatherings and crowded, indoor places.
Entering NSW from interstate
There are no restrictions on interstate travel to NSW but we can practise safe behaviours to help protect each other from COVID-19, please read Stay COVID safe.
Workers and businesses should check the advice on Keeping workers Safe and COVID Safe travel choices beforehand if travelling for work.
Travelling to another state or territory
Check the state government website for your destination before you travel, as states can change COVID-19 advice or restrictions if the COVID-19 situation changes:
Travel to remote Aboriginal towns and communities
People travelling to rural and remote Aboriginal communities should read advice for Aboriginal communities for advice on how to stay safe from COVID-19 and flu.