Media reports both sides of the Tasman have confirmed that New Zealand has agreed in principle to a travel bubble with Australia next year.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is reported to have said the bubble was discussed during the final cabinet meeting of the year today, with travel to open in the first quarter of 2021.
New Zealanders are already allowed to enter a number of Australian states but far Australians are not allowed to travel across the Tasman without quarantining, which will change with the new Australia – New Zealand travel bubble.
Ms Ardern told media, “Cabinet has agreed in principle to establish a travel bubble with Australia.” “We anticipate in the first quarter of 2021 pending confirmation from the Australian cabinet and no significant change in the circumstances of either country,”
Ms Ardern added that officials have been working on a range of matters and good progress has been made, and “There has been some public focus on the requirement for 28 days free of community transmission, but that is just one of the criteria and areas where preparation needs to be done before opening”.
She also said, “As important as having clear plans on the event of an outbreak in either country that may see borders close and potentially thousands of New Zealanders seeking to return who may need to go into isolation.”
She added, “There are also arrangements to be made with airlines about the management of the air crew and separation, for example, of other trans-Tasman flights to ensure there’s no potential cross contamination”, with Ms Ardern not being drawn on the exact date the travel bubble would open.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt today welcomed the advice from New Zealand and said Australia would approve the decision, adding,
“Absolutely.” “This is very simple because we already have committed to the principle of a two-way bubble,” adding, “We have established it as a one-way bubble where those coming from New Zealand on the medical advice of the Chief Medical Officer could come safely without quarantine.
He added, “Now, this gives the chance for New Zealanders or Australians to visit New Zealand, whether it is for friends, family, weddings, funerals, births, holidays, business, without having to quarantine. It is first step on a return to international normality“, and “Australia is ready to implement from our side as soon as New Zealand is ready”, in addition to saying, “We understand it may take a few more weeks, but we are working constructively and patiently”.
He also said, “New Zealand has been a great partner and I have previously spoken with my counterpart in New Zealand, they have done well through the pandemic”, adding, “Australia’s done well through what has been a challenging and a difficult situation for so many people, but now both countries can bear the positive outcomes of that and that just means more people getting to see their loved ones or people being able to take a well-earned break and that’s good for Australians, it is good for New Zealanders can come to Australia.”
A report by John Alwyn-Jones
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