Australia and New Zealand agree on travel bubble deal
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has confirmed a deal for a travel bubble has been agreed on with New Zealand. HERE’S HOW IT WILL WORK.
Tasmania
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Australia and New Zealand have reached an agreement to establish a travel bubble between the two nations.
The development follows New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this week confirming she was open to individual agreements with state governments.
The agreement is understood to enable New Zealanders to fly to NSW and the Northern Territory from 12.01am on Friday, October 16.
It comes after the chief of Hobart Airport said he believed the facility could quickly accommodate requirements for international flights.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein is due to provide an update on the state’s borders at 2.30pm today.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Friday announced the first stage of the arrangement.
“This will allow New Zealanders and other residents in New Zealand who have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hot spot in NZ in the preceding 14 days to travel quarantine free to Australia,” he said.
“I know that NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and I know that the chief minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner welcome this indeed.”
The move will free up an additional 325 places in hotel quarantine each week for travellers returning to Sydney.
“This trans-Tasman bubble means that there are going to be more places open for more Australians to come home from abroad,” Mr McCormack said.
Australian Border Force will also be at airports to collect additional information for contact tracing from arriving New Zealanders, who health experts say pose a low risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Mr McCormack said any state or territory that imposes travel restrictions consistent with the Commonwealth-based definition hot spot will be able to participate and that is an important note.
He has also spoken with South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, whose state is expected to be the next to join the travel bubble.
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