New Zealand has agreed in principle with Australia to a quarantine-free travel bubble. Jacinda Ardern, the country’s Prime Minister, said trips under the agreement could begin early next year.
The much-anticipated agreement, however, would depend on the situation of Covid-19 in both counties remaining as it is now.
Since October, travelers from New Zealand have been permitted to reach most Australian states without quarantine. However, this has been a one-way agreement so far – meaning that on their return to New Zealand, they have to do 14 days of controlled isolation.
And, unless they have an exemption, Australians are not allowed into New Zealand at all. Ms Ardern did not offer a date to start the travel bubble, and the Australian government would also need to sign the agreement first.
In recent months, both countries have had very low case numbers, although regional outbreaks have occurred in Australia. After a full border closure and a strict lockout period, New Zealand was one of the first countries to declare itself virus-free in June. It has had a few incidents ever since.
Due to surging cases in the region, a scheduled travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong last month had to be postponed.
Source: BBC