NZ agrees on two-way 'travel bubble' with Australia in early 2021

Wellington

NEW Zealand on Monday agreed to allow quarantine-free travel with Australia in the first quarter of 2021, nearly a year after it locked down its borders to protect its population from the global coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the cabinet had agreed in principle for the trans-Tasman, quarantine-free travel bubble pending confirmation from the Australian cabinet, and no significant changes in circumstances of either countries.

"It is our intention to name a date ... in the New Year once remaining details are locked down," she said at a news conference in Wellington.

New Zealand has virtually eliminated Covid-19 within its borders by enforcing a tough lockdown and keeping its borders shut to all foreigners for most part of the year.

Ms Ardern said more work was needed to ensure safe travels and New Zealand would move cautiously to finalise arrangements like managing airline crew, segregating travellers and others. "Of course we want to progress on these issues including quarantine-free travel but we haven't taken risks before as that means New Zealanders won't be able to keep their freedom and I certainly don't want to take those risks right no."

A trans-Tasman travel bubble has been under discussion for months and many Australian regions have allowed New Zealanders to travel without quarantine requirements since October, but New Zealand had not reciprocated this move. Australia also closed its international borders early in the pandemic and now, apart from New Zealanders, only allows returning Australian citizens to fly into the country. REUTERS