New Zealand plans to open its border with Australia, without any restrictions
The Long White Cloud nation hopes to be able to open a travel “bubble” with Australia in the first quarter of 2021, despite the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement was made on Monday by the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
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Jacinda Ardern, leader of the Labor Party, said her government had agreed in principle to set up this arrangement between the two banks of the Tasman Sea, in Provided that neither country is hit by a new, large-scale epidemic wave. “There are things we don’t underestimate.” The Prime Minister of New Zealand said. “We intend to schedule a date after the New Year to begin non-quarantine flights, once the final details are finalised.”, she told reporters.
A role model
New Zealand closed its borders in March and since then all visitors, including Australians, must comply Two weeks of quarantine. Since then, the effectiveness of the archipelago’s response to the epidemic has been internationally welcomed Only 25 deaths have been attributed to Covid-19 in this country of five million people. Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt, said this was not just a sign that the two countries were working together, but a sign that “Families can find themselves on both sides again. Flights will be full in both directions, which is great for the economy, great for airlines and great for both countries. Getting back to normal internationally.”
The first step in October 2020
Travelers from New Zealand to Australia have not been quarantined since October. But the situation is different in the opposite direction. A few days ago, Queensland was the last Australian state to allow kiwis to enter Australian territory. Actually, Since October 16, New Zealanders can travel to Australia.
Other bubbles ready to pop?
A “bubble” had already been contemplated a few months ago between the two countries, but the project was postponed indefinitely due to the second pandemic wave that hit the island-continent this summer. New Zealand also announced this weekend that it is once again working on Project “Bubble” with the Cook Islands, with a potential opening in the first quarter of 2021. In fact, the Cook Islands is one of the few countries in the world that has not had No cases of Covid-19.