Trans-Tasmanian Bubble: Kiwis are getting a good reception in some Australian states, here’s what the rules say

The bubble with Australia is growing, with South Australia being the last state to open its border to kiwis.

The state border has been opened to New Zealand travelers “with immediate effect,” according to ABC News.

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told ABC that New Zealanders can now reach the state without having to self-quarantine. The state was also “happy to host” direct flights from New Zealand, and 12 new arrivals who are already in hotel quarantine would be released.

Some New Zealand travelers taking advantage of the new trans-Tasman bubble to fly to New South Wales and the Northern Territory have received a good reception as they continue to other Australian states.

READ MORE:
* Five New Zealanders enter Adelaide even though South Australia is not in the trans-Tasman travel bubble
* ‘Victorian Borders are open’ – Australian state website clear to New Zealand travelers
* Trans-Tasman bubble travelers entitled to proceed to Melbourne, shows Victoria state government website

Each Australian state has its own rules, which establish who is allowed to cross interstate borders and who has to enter controlled isolation if they enter the state from another part of the country.

Some states have indicated that a relaxation of their border restrictions could be coming, but the rules could also tighten if the cases of Covid-19 increase.

Here’s a rundown of interstate rules in all eight Australian states and territories as of October 20.

New South Wales and Northern Territory:

Since Friday, New Zealand travelers have been able to fly to NSW and NT without going into mandatory quarantine.

The quarantine requirement will be reimposed for some trans-Tasmanian travelers if any part of New Zealand is deemed to be a Covid-19 hotspots at some point.

A health screening may be required at the airport, and if any traveler from the trans-Tasman bubble is deemed to be an unacceptable Covide-19 health risk, they may have to quarantine or leave Australia.

New Zealand travelers going to the NT must complete an entry form at the border.

Anyone arriving in the territory from Victoria has to go through a mandatory supervised quarantine, as NT regards Victoria as a declared Covid-19 hotspot.

Victory:

Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has clearly expressed his disgust that New Zealand travelers continued to his state. On Monday afternoon, the number of travelers who had done so stood at 65.

Despite that, the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services recognizes that the state’s borders are open.

People traveling from New Zealand can enter Victoria provided they have passed all relevant federal, NSW and NT immigration and biosecurity requirements. Anyone traveling with symptoms of Covid-19 could be detained.

Queensland:

Anyone who has been to a Covid-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days will be turned away at the Queensland border.

For now, the Queensland government considers Victoria and New South Wales to be hotspots, but has said the border could be opened to visitors from New South Wales from November 1, provided certain conditions are met.

Anyone who has been abroad in the past 14 days must be quarantined, and anyone entering Queensland must complete a border declaration pass.

Australian Capital Territory:

With the onset of the trans-Tasman bubble, New Zealand travelers who have entered New South Wales by air can travel to the ACT by air or road without the need to self-quarantine. This does not apply to those who have been to Victoria in the last 14 days.

South Australia:

Like Tuesday, New Zealand travelers no longer have to self-quarantine in South Australia.

The state previously stated that Kiwis could not travel to South Africa without quarantining themselves for 14 days. But on Tuesday, the state police commissioner announced that they were now accepting direct flights from New Zealand to South Africa.

Anyone wishing to enter South Australia must complete a cross-border travel registration at least 14 days prior to arrival.

In terms of interstate travel, visitors from ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS and WA can enter South Australia directly without the requirement of testing or quarantine, provided they have been in areas of low community transmission for 14 days. That area includes all of Australia except Victoria.

Western Australia:

According to the Western Australian government website, there are “strict” border controls and only those who have an exemption can enter.

All international arrivals must be quarantined at the hotel. That reportedly included 22 people who came to the state after initially entering New South Wales from New Zealand through the trans-Tasman bubble deal.

Tasmania:

All arrivals who have been abroad, including New Zealand, in the 14 days prior to arriving in Tasmania will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in government-designated accommodation upon arrival in Tasmania.

Until October 25, all non-essential travelers need approval to enter Tasmania and any authorized person who has been to an “affected region or location” in the previous 14 days must spend 14 days in government-designated quarantine.

The list of affected regions / facilities covers all of Victoria and some specific addresses in New South Wales.

Beginning October 26, people arriving from Queensland, ACT, SA, WA and NT will not have to self-quarantine, as long as they have not been to an affected region or facility in the previous 14 days.

They must register travel and contact details before arriving. Border restrictions remain for Victoria and NSW travelers.