Lyla Lindsey
Australia and New Zealand have been instituting quarantine-free travel for travellers between the two countries. Quarantine-free travel was paused for a 72-hour period in June 2021 due to rising Covid-19 cases in Australia. In October 2021, quarantine-free travel was resumed for fully vaccinated travellers from New Zealand. However, due to the Delta outbreaks, quarantine-free travel was suspended for a further 8 weeks. Travellers must be aware of the changing conditions and requirements in each state they intend to travel to.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Quarantine-free travel status | Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand was paused in June 2021 and October 2021 due to COVID-19 outbreaks. |
| Quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers between Australia and New Zealand's South Island was resumed in October 2021. | |
| Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand was suspended for eight weeks in August 2021 due to uncontrolled community transmission of COVID-19 in Australia. | |
| Requirements for travellers | Travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in Australia and evidence of full vaccination. |
| Travellers must register their details with SafeTravel and get travel insurance. | |
| Travellers must answer questions about their health at departure and may need to provide a medical certificate if they have pre-existing conditions that explain any symptoms. | |
| Government advice | The SafeTravel advice level for Australia is level two "Exercise increased caution". |
| The Australian government is in talks with Singapore and countries in the Pacific region to create similar travel bubbles. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand
On April 18, 2022, the Trans-Tasman travel bubble was reinstated, allowing quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and all states and territories of Australia. To be eligible for a quarantine-free flight, travellers must not have had a positive COVID-19 test result in the past 14 days and cannot be awaiting a test result. They must also wear masks during their flight and provide full contact details while in New Zealand, along with a pre-departure health report.
Travellers from New Zealand to Australia must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of their arrival and evidence of full vaccination. Additionally, they must complete the online Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure, providing contact details and answering health questions.
The resumption of quarantine-free travel is expected to boost the economic recovery of New Zealand and represents a world-leading scheme for safely expanding international travel while maintaining a virus-eradication policy. However, travellers should be aware that quarantine-free travel may be paused or suspended in the event of community cases or outbreaks in either country.
Australian Government's Response to Syrian Refugee Crisis
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Travellers' responsibilities during COVID-19-related disruptions
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand was established when both countries had very few recent cases of COVID-19 community transmission and a similar elimination strategy. However, this arrangement was suspended in 2021 due to surging Delta cases in NSW and Victoria, Australia. Quarantine-free travel between the two countries remains suspended as of October 2021.
- It is the travellers' responsibility to manage any COVID-19-related travel disruptions and meet any associated financial costs.
- Travellers should have a plan for what to do if their return to their home country is delayed.
- Before travelling, travellers should register their details with SafeTravel so that they can receive up-to-date travel advice.
- Travellers should also register with their embassy and home government to get alerts.
- It is important to stay up-to-date on the pandemic's developments and the home government's response.
- Travellers should continue to monitor local news sources and the Unite Against Covid-19 website in case any changes in quarantine-free travel arrangements occur.
- When travellers return to their home country, they must answer questions about their health at departure and may not be able to travel if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
- If travellers have any pre-existing conditions that explain their symptoms, they must bring evidence in the form of a medical certificate.
- Travellers should get travel insurance and check their policy carefully.
- Call your travel health insurance provider to extend your policy and consider purchasing evacuation coverage if you are not already covered.
- Be aware that some providers may be restricting coverage for COVID-19.
- Call your financial institution to ensure you have access to appropriate funds.
- Make sure you have access to a doctor that speaks your language in case you require medical care.
- Pay attention to your health and follow the advice of the local health authority.
- If you are currently abroad, follow the advice of your home government and return home as soon as possible.
- If you are not able to return home, it is important to stay up-to-date on the pandemic's developments and your government's response.
- Several US airlines have committed to rebooking stranded passengers at no additional cost and covering meals during an airline-caused disruption.
Noosa, Australia: Top Dining Destinations Revealed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Quarantine-free travel requirements
In 2021, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the commencement of quarantine-free travel between the two countries, which was to be known as the "Trans-Tasman bubble". This arrangement allowed people to travel between New Zealand and Australia without needing to quarantine, as long as they had not had a positive COVID-19 test result in the previous 14 days and were not awaiting test results. These flights were called "green zone flights", indicating that passengers had only travelled to Australia in the last 14 days.
However, this bubble was suspended later in 2021 due to a surge in Delta cases in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. During this time, travellers returning to New Zealand from Australia were required to answer health questions at departure and could not travel if they displayed any COVID-19 symptoms. Travellers with pre-existing conditions that explained certain symptoms were required to bring evidence in the form of a medical certificate.
In October 2021, Australia reopened quarantine-free travel from New Zealand's South Island, which had not recorded any COVID-19 cases since the previous year. Travellers from the North Island were still required to undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine. To be eligible for quarantine-free travel, travellers from New Zealand had to provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure, show proof of full vaccination, and not have visited the North Island in the previous 14 days.
As of October 2021, the Australian government was working towards phase three of its plan, which would allow fully vaccinated international travellers to enter for tourism purposes.
Religious Diversity in Australia: Three Major Faiths
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Quarantine-free travel suspension
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has been suspended several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2021, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the establishment of a Trans-Tasman bubble, allowing quarantine-free travel between the two countries. However, this arrangement has been disrupted multiple times due to outbreaks of COVID-19 cases in both countries.
In June 2021, the quarantine-free travel bubble was paused for three days due to increasing COVID-19 cases in Australia. New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, stated that the pause was necessary to understand the developing situation and consider additional safety measures for the bubble. During this period, Air New Zealand cancelled all passenger flights to New Zealand from Australia, causing inconvenience to travellers.
In October 2021, Australia and New Zealand planned to resume quarantine-free travel, with Australia reopening its borders to fully vaccinated visitors from New Zealand. However, this resumption was short-lived as the Delta variant surged in New South Wales and Victoria, leading to another suspension of the travel bubble.
As of November 2021, the suspension of quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has been extended due to ongoing Delta outbreaks. The New Zealand government has prioritised protecting its citizens from the further spread of the Delta variant. Travellers impacted by these disruptions are responsible for managing any COVID-19-related travel disruptions and associated financial costs.
Travellers are advised to closely monitor official sources for updates and follow the specific requirements of their intended destination, as different Australian states may have varying rules and restrictions related to COVID-19. It is recommended to register with relevant authorities, obtain travel insurance, and carefully check the terms of the insurance policy before travelling.
Australian Fur Seals' Diet: What They Eat and Why
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have been working on the implementation of a "Trans-Tasman Travel Bubble" or "Safe Travel Zone" between the two countries. The travel bubble was first launched in April 2021, allowing people to travel between the two countries without having to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival. However, the travel bubble was suspended later in the year due to a surge in Delta cases in both countries.
During the suspension, travellers from Australia to New Zealand had to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrival. Similarly, travellers from New Zealand to Australia had to follow certain requirements, such as providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of arrival and evidence of full vaccination. Different Australian states had different rules, with Western Australia, for example, requiring mandatory self-funded quarantine in a selected hotel.
In April 2022, the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand was relaunched. Under the new arrangement, travellers no longer needed to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival in either country. The travel bubble brought benefits to the international student community, as it allowed students holding a Bridging Visa to fly to New Zealand and apply for a Student Visa from there. They could then re-enter Australia with the Student Visa without needing to quarantine in New Zealand.
Despite the resumption of quarantine-free travel, travellers were advised to remain cautious and monitor local news sources and government websites for updates. The situation was still unstable, and travellers were responsible for managing any COVID-19-related travel disruptions and associated financial costs.
Meat Lovers Down Under: Australia's Favorite Meat Revealed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has been paused multiple times since the pandemic started. As of October 2021, quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia has resumed for fully vaccinated travellers.
Travellers from New Zealand must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of their arrival in Australia, and evidence of full vaccination.
Travellers returning to New Zealand from Australia must answer questions about their health at departure and are not permitted to travel if they have COVID-19 symptoms. If travellers have any pre-existing conditions that explain symptoms, they must bring evidence of this to avoid being denied boarding.
