New Zealand could open to Australia by next month as countries form a Trans-Tasman bubble

New Zealand could open to Australia by next month as countries form a Trans-Tasman bubble

  • New Zealand could open its international borders to Australia by mid-April
  • Airports in NZ and Australia would be divided into ‘green zones’ and ‘red zones’
  • Green zones would be for free and open travel, red zones for quarantine

New Zealand could open its international borders to Australia by mid-April as the two countries contemplate introducing a Trans-Tasman bubble.

It is believed a paper is currently being discussion in a NZ Cabinet committee around the final form of the bubble, with a decision pending.

A historic Trans-Tasman bubble would see quarantine-free travel within New Zealand and Australia, while each country reserved the right to immediately suspend travel if the safety of the wider community is deemed under threat.

Airports would also be divided into separate green zones and red zones.

Flights from New Zealand to Australia could be reality by mid-April as the two countries consider a Trans-Tasman bubble

Flights from New Zealand to Australia could be reality by mid-April as the two countries consider a Trans-Tasman bubble 

‘Green zones’ would indicate free and open travel, while ‘red zones’ would be for those travellers coming from other parts of the world to transit or hotel quarantine, according to 9News. 

New Zealand has already given the green light to flight passengers from the Cook Islands and Niue to enter the country quarantine-free. 

NZ Covid Recovery Minister Chris Hipkins told Parliament on Wednesday that Auckland airport would require 10 days to be ready for the proposed bubble, while a number of airlines confirmed they would need three weeks to be ready to fly.

Other airports across the ditch keen to be a part of the bubble arrangement include Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

The development comes as Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Dan Tehan flagged a three-way travel arrangement with Singapore and New Zealand by the middle of 2021 earlier this week.

If the arrangement with Singapore is signed off, more than 40,000 Australians currently stranded abroad could finally return home.

A Covid vaccination to travel between the two countries will be a mandatory condition of travel.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the government would also look to expand the travel bubble further to include other countries such as Japan and South Korea.

‘As the vaccine rolls out across Australia and elsewhere, we are confident that we will have these travel bubbles. And, who knows, after Singapore maybe South Korea or Japan?’ he said.

‘Importantly, we (need to) get students back in and returning Australians back in.’ 

Fiji have also expressed their interest in resuming international travel.

The only current Australian states allowing quarantine-free travel from New Zealand are Victoria and NSW.

Earlier this month, Scott Morrison said New Zealand was free to open its borders whenever they deemed appropriate.

After more than 12 months of limited travel internationally, the scenario could change by as early as next month

After more than 12 months of limited travel internationally, the scenario could change by as early as next month

Christchurch Airport is among the NZ airports considering their involvement in a Trans Tasman bubble with Australia from next month

Christchurch Airport is among the NZ airports considering their involvement in a Trans Tasman bubble with Australia from next month

‘If the New Zealand government doesn’t wish Australians to visit New Zealand and spend money in Queenstown or Wellington or other parts of the country, that’s a matter for them,’ the prime minister said.

‘But if Australians can’t go to Queenstown, I’m hoping they will go to Cairns.’

On March 11, Australia’s federal government announced a $1.2billion support package in a bid to save the struggling tourism industry.   

The federal subsidy will run from April to July, with lower prices for flights to regions including the Gold Coast, Cairns, the Whitsundays, Alice Springs, Launceston, Broome, regional Victoria and Kangaroo Island.

Some flights, which will feature tickets at half price, will be available to purchase online from April 1.  

source: dailymail.co.uk