Australia’s current coronavirus crisis, with worsening COVID-19 cases in greater Sydney, has seen the New Zealand government announce the suspension of non-quarantine travel between the two countries for at least eight weeks.
With coronavirus outbreaks in at least three Australian states, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Friday.
The trans-Tasman bubble officially burst at midnight on Friday, but managed return flights will be available over the next week to get New Zealanders home.
Those living outside Victoria and NSW will be able to return without being quarantined, but all passengers must have negative COVID tests prior to departure.
Announcing the change, Prime Minister Ardern said “my strong message to all New Zealanders in Australia right now who do not want to stay there long term is to return home”.
She went on to say “We have always said that our response will evolve as the virus evolves.
“It was not a decision we took lightly, but it is the right decision to keep New Zealanders safe.”
Australia is currently facing severe outbreaks of Delta strain COVID in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, with a local case reported in Queensland.
Across Australia, more than 14 million people are under lockdown, with suggestions that Sydney residents may have to prepare for two more months of lockdown restrictions because authorities have waited to impose the current restrictions
New modeling from the University of Melbourne shows that for the number of COVID-19 cases in Sydney to head south, the current lockdown will have to continue until September 4.
The trans-Tasman travel bubble, which began on April 19, has allowed Australians and New Zealanders to travel freely between the two countries.
His two-month hiatus could have an impact on upcoming Bledisloe Cup tests between the All Blacks and Wallabies, which are scheduled in both countries.
Prime Minister Ardern said the Wallabies could use the seven-day window to travel to New Zealand after requesting an economic exemption, concluding “However, this has to be within the seven-day window – we’re not doing any exceptions apart from that. Everyone must go to quarantine. “
Image courtesy of Joe Cusmano.
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