The first flight without a quarantine since the resumption of the trans-Tasman one-way travel bubble takes off tonight, with additional entry requirements in place.
Photo: 123rf
Australia reopened its travel bubble early this morning, after officials said they were happy with New Zealand’s updates on efforts to trace and contain Auckland’s latest coronavirus cluster .
This means that many New Zealanders entering Australia will not need to self-quarantine.
However, until March 1, additional conditions have been imposed: anyone who has stayed in Auckland in the past two weeks (excluding the airport) will need to have proof of a negative Covid-19 test passed. less than 72 hours before departure.
And all travelers who plan to take a domestic flight with Australia after arrival will need to follow additional rules for the destination state.
Tonight’s flight to Sydney departs Auckland at 6.15pm.
A flight to Melbourne this morning was canceled.
The flight from Sydney is the first since the cross-country travel arrangement closed on February 14, after an Auckland family of three tested positive for Covid-19 in the community, and the city has been placed in level 3 lockdown for three days.
The Australian Department of Health then extended the “break” of flights on February 17, expressing concern that the original source of the three Auckland cases had not been discovered.
Vaccinations with the Pfizer Covid-19 jab began in Australia today and New Zealand on Friday.
The travel bubble only applies to New Zealanders entering Australia and not to travel in the opposite direction.
The arrangements will be reviewed by the end of the month.
– RNZ / TBEN
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