New Zealand’s Cabinet has agreed to launch a quarantine-free tourist bubble flights with Australia in the first half of 2021, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt enthusiastically greeted the official announcement, saying it was “the first step” to adjust to international travel and it is expected that the Australian government will likely “grant” the necessary permits.
When?
Ardern said there was still a lot of work to be done before the concrete announcement was made.
“It is our intention to calculate the date … in the new year, if the remaining details are decided upon as quick as we can,” Ardern said.
“New Zealand currently has the lowest Covid-19 mortality rate and the lowest rates in OECD countries.”
She said a number of issues needed to be addressed, including how passengers from “safe areas” and those from the Covid-19 countries could be separated and how New Zealand would deal with the “flood” to bring Kiwis back if there was a spread re-emergence in Australia.
Australia’s Statement
Hunt said Australia was ready to move on, as soon as New Zealand was ready.
“We understand that it may take a few more weeks, but we are working constructively and patiently,” he said.
“New Zealand has been a great partner and I have spoken to my colleagues in New Zealand, they have done well in this epidemic.”
Now both countries can get “positive results” from their epidemic strategies, he said, and “that means more people will see their loved ones or people able to take a well-functioning vacation and that’s good for Australians, good for the people of New Zealand.”
New Zealand – Australia Travel Relations
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia was New Zealand’s largest tourist market, accounting for about half of all international tourist arrivals.
New Zealanders are already allowed to travel to many parts of Australia without isolation even though they have to be separated for two weeks upon their return. Australians are not allowed to enter New Zealand.
The announcement came two days after Ardern said New Zealand would build a naval gun with the Cook Islands in early 2021. On Monday he said a bubble would be launched before Australian football.
Chris Hipkins, New Zealand’s Covid-19 response minister, said he planned to visit Auckland airport on Tuesday to see if preparations could be made, adding that airlines needed time to prepare workers to take care of additional vehicles.
New Zealand’s National Carrier Is Preparing
In a statement, Air New Zealand said the announcement was “a major step forward”.
“Our teams are busy preparing for recommencing quarantine-free travel. Safety and security is clearly a major priority for our airline, and we have been working with governments, relevant agencies and airports on what is needed to keep our customers and staff safe once the flight is open, ”said chief executive Greg Foran.
“We appreciate people who are passionate about the trip, and we can assure customers that as soon as it is operational, Air New Zealand will be ready.”
Auckland airport chief Adrian Littlewood said the company had completed work that began earlier this year to create alternative routes for New Zealand commuters and created a safer travel bubble, as well as a second “health care facility,” for those who needed to be either confined or confined. and transport passengers.
“Auckland Airport will be ready to separate passengers once the government is ready to allow people to travel alone.”
