From October 16, Kiwis who have not been in a Covid-19 hotspot (three Covid-19 daily cases over three days) in the past 14 days will be able to travel into New South Wales and the Northern Territory of Australia, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed.
Services
After a six-month absence on the trans-Tasman market, Qantas will be offering six Auckland-Sydney flights and four Christchurch-Sydney flights per week. Jetstar will be operating three Auckland-Sydney flights per week. And Air New Zealand is lifting its caps on flights into Sydney, opening up more than 12,000 seats on flights between now and January.
“Kiwis wanting to reconnect with families and friends in Northern Territory and New South Wales will welcome this news and we look forward to hearing more about a complete Tasman safe zone soon,”, Air New Zealand Chief executive Greg Foran said, quoted by 1 news.
One-way
If New Zealanders won’t have to spend a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Australia, they will have a compulsory fortnight isolation back home at a hotel, and pay for that two-week stay.
The arrangement will also initially be one-way, with Australians not being able to travel to New Zealand. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country is not ready to have Australians entering without quarantining.
Next step
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Michael McCormack said South Australia is likely to be the next state to sign up to the agreement after New South Walers and the Northern Territory.
> Main photo : Air New Zealand plane on departure. Air New Zealand Facebook account.
