With a two-way Trans-Tasman bubble set to begin in a few weeks, Australians might be able to travel to New Zealand without needing quarantine, according to a report from Stuff.
The bubble would allow for Australians and New Zealanders to travel between the two countries without having to go through the standard 14-day quarantine on arrival. The bubble also allows for both, or either, country to stop flights if an outbreak occurs at any time.
New Zealand airports will reportedly be split into “green zones” and “red zones”, with green zones being used by domestic bubble travellers only from Australia and New Zealand, and red zones will be used by travellers from overseas and/or are in transit to quarantine.
Although we re-opened our borders to New Zealand on March 11, us Aussies haven’t been able to travel there without the standard 14-day quarantine on arrival.
But this Monday, things are looking up. The New Zealand Cabinet are set to make their decision regarding two-way travel arrangements with Australia, and when they will commence.
Such an announcement is only more encouragement to make the most of all the flight specials, and surely sending airlines into quick prep mode, with the ten-day sterilisation and preparation required by New Zealand’s COVID-19 Recovery Minister.
The flights from Australia are set to arrive at Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, hopefully beginning by the middle of April.
The ever-sensible and gracious Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinta Ardern hasn’t denied that the travel bubble could open sooner rather than later, but she won’t announce anything concrete just yet.
“We’d like to have it soon” she says.
Us too, Jacinta. Bring on the New Zealand slopes, the fush ‘n’ chups, and incredible views.
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