It’s good news for Kiwis and slightly less good news for Aussies as the trans-Tasman bubble is set to return from Wednesday, October 20th.
As per ABC, fully-vaccinated New Zealanders from the country’s South Island will now be allowed to come over here without mandatory quarantine. Australians will still have to undergo mandatory quarantine when travelling over there though.
“Looking at the situation in the South Island of New Zealand, where they’ve not had any cases since last year, there is very good work being done to stop people from the North Island going to the South Island, so that is not a risk,” Paul Kelly, the Federal Government’s Chief Health Officer, said.
“We hope to allow anyone who’s been in the South Island of New Zealand, whether they’re Australians, New Zealanders or other nationalities — as long as they’ve been there for 14 days — to come in quarantine free.”
“I understand there are some Australians that have been stuck in the South Island of New Zealand for some time, and we’d welcome them home,” Kelly said.
The reopening of the trans-Tasman bubble is the exciting first step in the overall plans to resume international travel. NSW is readying for this to happen from November but other Aussie states will be waiting longer.
“Phase one is the opening up of double vaccinated travel for Australians to leave, and for Australia residents and immediate family to come back,” the Health Minister Greg Hunt said. “Phase two is for priority visa holders … such as students and priority workers. Phase three would be for fully vaccinated international travellers, that would include tourism, to arrive.”
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The bubble was previously suspended due to the Delta outbreaks in Australia’s south-east and New Zealand. That forced Australians in New Zealand to remain there for several more months.
For more on this topic, follow the Travel Observer.
