Jacinda Ardern confirmed the bubble on Tuesday, April 6.
It’s time travel bugs: the quarantine-free trans-Tasman ‘travel bubble’ is finally happening.
Following almost a year of discussions about the travel bubble – literally, we posted about it back in May here – the travel bubble will finally become a reality, allowing travel between Australia and New Zealand without a mandatory quarantine period on either side.
Confirmed by New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday, April 6, the scheme will begin on 11.59pm on Sunday, April 18 and will give residents of both Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to explore the other, giving a much-needed boost to both countries’ tourism and hospitality industries.
Back in the beforetimes, New Zealand’s tourism is the country’s biggest export industry with Australians making up nearly 40 per cent of international arrivals to New Zealand, while New Zealanders make up about 15 per cent of the Australia’s international visitors.
It’s a win-win for both countries.
Currently, New Zealanders can visit every state and territory in Australia without needing to quarantine, except Western Australia. For Australians however, this was not the case until now. Like New Zealanders coming to Australia, anyone flying into NZ will go through a “green zone” in airports and will be kept separate from other people flying in from around the world.
And the best news is that for now, every state and territory in Australia is on the fly list and there will be no vaccine requirement to be able to travel. As for the price, well that one’s up to the airlines running the flights, mainly Qantas and Air New Zealand.
While it’s pretty damn good news for those with the urge to travel, Ardern warned people to be prepared to have their travel plans changed at short notice, including landing and going into hotel quarantine.
“Those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware,” she said.
“People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak.”
Go forth, and start planning your NZ holidays.
Turn your inbox up to 11. Sign up to Forte’s newsletter and you’ll be served fresh music, arts, food, booze and culture stories twice a week.
