Self-isolation information for flight crew arriving in NSW from overseas

Duration of quarantine/isolation


Download as PDF

If you are a flight crew member who has been in a country other than Australia in the 14 days before arrival, you must undertake a mandatory quarantine period in a quarantine/medical facility, unless you have an exemption.

You may be exempt from these quarantine requirements and instead self-isolate at your home or  accommodation if you are a declared flight crew member under the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order (No 4) 2020.

A declared flight crew member must:

  • provide your contact details, and place of accommodation/residence, to NSW Health before leaving the airport; and
  • provide a written declaration that you:
    • have not been in contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days before arrival, and
    • have not had any symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell) in the 72 hours before arrival

You must continue to self-isolate until either the end of the quarantine period or until you fly out of NSW.

The quarantine period starts when you arrive in NSW and ends when the sooner one of the following occurs:

  • at least 14 full days have passed and, having regard to any testing carried out by or on behalf of NSW Health, the Chief Health Officer is satisfied that the person does not pose a risk of infecting any other person with COVID-19, or
  • 24 full days have passed.

You must report immediately to your employer if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested and remain in isolation.

If you do not leave on a flight out of NSW within 14 days, your self-isolation/quarantine ends at the end of 14 days only if the Chief Health Officer finds that you are not a risk. Otherwise, your self -isolation/quarantine ends at the end of 24 days.

What is self-isolation?

Self- isolation means you must stay at your home or accommodation.

You should not allow people who do not have an essential need to be in the home to visit while you are in isolation. If other people reside in the accommodation you must limit interactions and you must wear a surgical mask if in the same room as them and otherwise practice social distancing. You cannot have visitors or participate in family or other social gatherings.

You cannot leave your house or accommodation, apart from medical care, unless you have been given a specific exemption to do so and follow any directions you have been given to reduce the risk of close contact with other people.

You cannot leave to go to work, childcare centres, aged care facilities, university, rec reation facilities, or public areas, or go shopping.

You can leave your home only for the reasons listed below.

Travelling to your accommodation

Your employer must arrange your transportation from the airport to your home or accommodation. If you are travelling to your private residence, you may travel by private transport direct to your residence where you will isolate. No stops can be made. You must not travel on public transport. Your employer must also arrange your transportation to your point of departure out of NSW. If you are returning to your own accommodation in NSW, by taxi or ride-share you should sit in the back seat and you must wear a mask. You are required to travel directly to and from the airport and not stop at any location during the journey.

Monitor symptoms and seek help if they develop

You must monitor yourself for any new symptoms. Watch particularly for:

  • fever (37.5°C or higher) or history of fever (night sweats, chills)
  • cough
  • runny nose
  • shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
  • sore throat
  • loss of smell
  • loss of taste.

Other reported symptoms of COVID-19 include: fatigue, acute blocked nose (congestion), muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting and loss of appetite.

Persons self-isolating outside of NSW Health quarantine facilities have three main options for testing:

  • Visit your nearest COVID-19 clinic or drive-through clinic. When you arrive, immediately tell staff that you are an international flight crew member and have just returned from being overseas.
  • Call your local doctor (or other health provider arranged by your airline) to make an appointment and tell them you are an international flight crew member and have just returned from being overseas.
  • If you are unable to do either of the above please contact your local Public Health Unit for advice and tell them you are an international flight crew member and have just returned from being overseas. 

If you become severely unwell and it is a medical emergency you should phone 000. Tell the ambulance staff that you have been in home isolation for COVID-19, and that you have recently flown in from overseas.

Can I leave my room? Can I have visitors?

Home isolation means you must stay at your home or accommodation. For those staying in flight crew hotel accommodation, self-isolation requires that you remain in your room at all times. Arrangements will need to be made to bring meals to your room.

If you are sharing your home with others, you should:

  • remain separated from others
  • wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as another person (even if they are also in isolation) and when you visit a healthcare provider
  • use a separate bathroom, if available
  • avoid shared or communal areas and wear a surgical mask when moving through these areas
  • not share a room with people who are at risk of severe disease, such as elderly people, immunocompromised people, and those who have heart, lung or kidney conditions, and diabetes.

You can only leave your home or accommodation for the following reasons:

  • undertake duties that are essential for safety or other regulatory reasons including, for example, flight simulation training, safety training or security training or to leave NSW
    • to seek medical care
    • in an emergency situation (including to avoid injury or escape a risk of harm from domestic violence).

If you are required to leave for one of the above reasons, you should wear a surgical mask, maintain a distan ce from others (minimum of 1.5 metres) and travel directly to and from the location back to your home or crew accommodation. If you need further advice, you should contact your local Public Health Unit at 1300 066 055.

You should not allow people who do not have an essential need to be in your home or crew accommodation to visit while you are in isolation. This includes not being allowed to visit each other’s rooms or have any visitors including family members who reside in NSW.

How can I obtain food and other essential supplies?

Ask your employer, family, friends or other members of the household to pick up groceries and medicines for you. If this is not possible, you may be able to order groceries and medicines (including prescription medicines) online or by telephone. If you are staying in hotel accommodation, any food ordered through a food delivery service should be brought directly to your hotel room door. If you still need help  with obtaining food and  essential supplies, help is available through your local Public Health Unit at 1300 066 055.

Can I go into the garden or go for a walk?

If you are in hotel accommodation you must remain in your room, you can go onto your private balcony if you have one. If you are at your home, you can go into your private garden or courtyard or onto your private balcony if you have one.

Wear a surgical mask

You should wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room with other people (even if they are also in isolation) and when you visit a healthcare provider. Make sure your surgical mask covers your nose and mouth at all times, and avoid touching your mask unnecessarily.

Cover coughs and sneezes

You should cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Used tissues should be placed in a bin, and hands immediately washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Wash your hands

You should wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if your hands are not visibly dirty. Ensure you wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser:

  • before entering an area where there are other people
  • before touching things used by other people
  • after using the bathroom
  • after coughing or sneezing
  • before putting on, and after removing, gloves and masks.

Avoid sharing household items

You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water or use a dishwasher/washing machine.

Still have questions or need support while in isolation?

For more information

​​​​​​​

Current as at: Friday 1 January 2021
Contact page owner: Health Protection NSW