A “travel bubble” between Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a press conference on Tuesday Advertise That from April 19, travelers from Australia will be able to visit New Zealand without having to go through a quarantine period. Ardern said the very low deterioration of the virus in both countries allows us to face “a new chapter in our recovery,” but she also specified that visitors will have to take into account the likelihood that their trip will be disrupted if new outbreaks are detected. ..

Since last October, travelers from New Zealand They can enter In most Australian states without the need for quarantine, but it was not the same for travelers from Australia to New Zealand, about 1.5 million every year before the pandemic. Starting at 11.59 pm on Sunday, April 18, the so-called “travel bill” will be activated, which will allow free travel and without quarantine commitment for travelers between the two countries, albeit with some restrictions: the first of these large quantities will be countries, days before Few one was introduced Between Taiwan and Palau.

During Tuesday’s press conference, New Zealand’s COVID-19 emergency director, Chris Hipkins, said that in order to travel, you would need to prove that you had tested negative for coronavirus in the 14 days prior to the trip; If you wait for the test result, you will not be able to travel. Travelers from Australia must have spent at least 14 days in the country before arriving in New Zealand and must wear a mask during the flight, while at New Zealand airports there will be random checks. The New Zealand government has also recommended the use of the “NZ Covid Tracer” infection tracking app for tourists from Australia, the use of which will not be mandatory in any way.

Ardern said the reopening of non-quarantined travel to and from Australia is made possible due to the reduced risk of transmission noted by major health authorities, but those who choose to travel will have to do so carefully and take responsibility.

Hopkins said that through these measures, travel “bubble” travels between Australia and New Zealand are considered low-risk, that is, in the “green” zone. Regarding alert levels assessment, however, Australia will be considered a New Zealand region: therefore, if infections increase, flights between the two countries will be suspended for up to 72 hours (‘orange’ risk); Likewise, if a ban is imposed in an Australian state, flights will be suspended for a longer period of time (a “red” risk): If New Zealand tourists are stuck in Australia, the government will not give them money support.

Ardern said the New Zealand government “is simply asking travelers to prepare” for the potential disruption of their flight if an outbreak is detected. Despite the restrictions, according to representatives of several airlines and companies in the tourism sector Interviewed by New Zealand HeraldThe announcement is a good sign for tourism in both countries and has already boosted flight reservations.

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Over the past year, Australia and New Zealand have managed to contain the epidemic through strict restrictions and because they are islands that do not share their borders directly with other countries.

New Zealand’s approach to the emergency was considered Gifted Since the start of the pandemic, when the government closed the borders and imposed a strict lockdown. Unlike many European countries, for example, New Zealand has maintained its restrictions for a long time and has continued meticulous contact tracing activities. In several cases, identifying a small number of new cases was enough to prompt the New Zealand authorities to enforce them the new A complete lockout.