Last Updated
Australia is reopening its borders for tourism to nationals from New Zealand starting on October 16th.
New Zealanders will be able to fly to New South Wales and the Northern Territory of Australia beginning at 12:01 am October 16th.
“The establishment of a travel zone between Australia and New Zealand has been finalized,” stated Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
“This is the first stage in what we hope to see as a trans-Tasman bubble between the two countries, stopping not just at that state and that territory.”
The travel bubble wont go in both directions to start with. Only New Zealanders will be able to travel to Australia.
Australians will not be permitted to travel to New Zealand.
McCormack stated that the decision on when Australians can visit New Zealand would be the decision of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Ardern stated that New Zealand is not ready to open for tourism and her main priority is keeping the people safe even though allowing Australians would result in a big boost for the economy.
“We have resisted that because we want to keep New Zealanders safe,” Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Friday.
According to the Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Australia said that New Zealand has “a low risk of Covid-19 transmission” and that there are currently no COVID-19 hotspots or clusters.
The last report of a locally transmitted COVID-19 case in New Zealand was on August 21st.
Australia Entry Requirements
Countries Allowed:
New Zealand is the first and only country permitted to travel to Australia as of October 16th.
Quarantines:
There will be no quarantines for New Zealanders arriving in Australia
Destinations Open in Australia:
Only certain areas of Australia will be open to New Zealanders including New South Wales and the Northern Territory
COVID-19 Testing Requirements:
While not confirmed by government officials, local reports are stating New Zealanders traveling to the designated destinations in Australia will not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
New South Wales, Australia which includes Sydney has not recorded any locally transmitted cases in a week while Australians Northern Territory has not recorded any cases of COVID-19 in the last two months
The Australian government has been repeatedly criticized by many countries over its draconian type laws that prevent Australians from leaving the country or gathering for protests.
Australia has confirmed 27, 109 cases of COVID-19 and 890 deaths.
New Zealand has confirmed 1848 cases of COVID-19 and 25 deaths.
Sources: BBC
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Vinny the adventurer
Friday 2nd of October 2020
Australia and New Zealand have been Orwellian about this. It scares me.