After months of negotiations, speculation, and anticipation, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand will resume at 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 18.
This afternoon’s confirmation of the travel bubble is particularly welcome after the disappointment of the much-anticipated press conference on March 23, where many hoped the start date would be announced. The delay was attributed to several criteria needing to be met before quarantine-free travel could resume, including protocols for handling COVID-19 cases in Australia, contact tracing for travelers from Australia, and readiness of airlines, airports, and agencies. An updated health assessment from New Zealand’s Director-General of Health was also required.
Today’s decision came after the New Zealand cabinet confirmed that these criteria have been satisfied. Ardern stated that the advice from the Director-General of Health indicated that “the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from Australia to New Zealand is low and that quarantine-free travel is safe to commence.”
“Quarantine-free travel will not be what it was pre-COVID-19, and those undertaking travel will do so under the guidance of ‘flyer beware,’” Ardern said. “People will need to plan for the possibility of having travel disrupted if there is an outbreak.”
This news is great for Kiwis living in Australia eager to visit family and friends in New Zealand and for Australian skiers and snowboarders craving international travel. For New Zealand’s tourism industry, today’s announcement is a significant step towards normalcy and a boon for the industry nationwide. Prior to COVID-19 and the associated border closures, Australians accounted for almost 40% of New Zealand’s international visitors, contributing $2.7 billion in 2019. Tourism New Zealand considers the Australian market “critical to New Zealand’s recovery” and has been lobbying strongly for the trans-Tasman travel bubble to open.
Australians are also a significant market for the New Zealand ski industry, making up 71% of international visitors who skied. Their return will be eagerly welcomed.
“Every business in central Queenstown is absolutely frothing at the possibility of our Australian guests returning, and they are certainly ready,” said Mountainwatch snow reporter and Queenstown local Nick Hyne. “Accommodation providers, activity operators, restaurants, and bars are constantly plotting for what lies ahead after a prolonged period of reduced visitor numbers. Having a date for the bubble will give local businesses an immense sense of hope and excitement – especially in the lead-up to winter.”
However, as Ardern noted, the bubble comes with an “element of flyer beware,” as a COVID outbreak in either country could see the borders close with little notice, potentially leaving travelers stranded. This is similar to the current situation between states in Australia, but many Australians will likely be preparing their ski and snowboard gear in anticipation of crossing the Tasman for a few turns this winter.
For more details, you can read the full press release from Prime Minister Ardern’s office here.
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