New Zealand suspends travel bubble with Australia for at least two months

The travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has been suspended after coronavirus outbreaks sparked lockdowns across NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

New Zealand recorded its first locally transmitted case of Covid-19 in six months on Tuesday.

New Zealand recorded its first locally transmitted case of Covid-19 in six months on Tuesday. Source: New Zealand Herald via AAP

New Zealand has suspended travel ties with Australia for two months as several states deal with coronavirus outbreaks.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Friday.

The trans-Tasman bubble will burst at 11.59pm but there will be managed return flights over the next week to allow New Zealanders to get home.



Those outside Victoria and NSW will be able to return without going through quarantine. Everyone will need to obtain a negative pre-departure test.

"My strong message to every NewZealander in Australia right now who does not want to stay there long term is - come home," Ms Ardern said.
Australia is grappling with serious coronavirus outbreaks in , and , with a local case also recorded in Queensland.

More than 14 million people are in lockdown across the country.
The and allowed Australians and New Zealanders to travel between the two countries without the need to quarantine.

More than 300,000 people have taken advantage of the quarantine-free travel arrangements.

However, Ms Ardern said the highly contagious Delta variant had materially changed the risk profile and COVID-19 was now widespread in Australia.

"We've always said that our response would evolve as the virus evolved," she said.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is the right decision to keep New Zealanders safe."
New Zealand officials expect it will take eight weeks to bring the NSW outbreak under control.

The decision could affect upcoming Bledisloe Cup Tests between the All Blacks and Wallabies, with matches slated on both sides of the ditch.

Ms Ardern said the Wallabies could utilise the seven-day window to travel to New Zealand for the Tests after applying for an exemption on economic grounds.

"However, it must be in the seven-day window, we are not making exceptions outside of that. Everyone else has to go into quarantine," she said. 


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2 min read
Published 23 July 2021 12:12pm
Updated 22 February 2022 6:53pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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