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Australia has finalized a trans-Tasmanian bubble deal that would allow Kiwis to cross the trench without having to quarantine themselves.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday and flights are expected in “weeks”. ABC reported.
Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hinted that plans to open up Kiwis for non-quarantine travel are imminent.
Ardern previously said Australia’s plans to open its borders to kiwis could be “its prerogative”, but at this stage travelers would still have to self-quarantine upon return.
On Thursday, Morrison revealed that New South Wales and South Australia would be the first states to open up to kiwis as part of a trans-Tasman bubble.
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The agreement would initially be one-way, allowing New Zealanders to fly to Australia without having to self-quarantine, he said.
But Ardern has said that while the kiwis may not have to be quarantined there, New Zealand is not yet ready to travel without quarantine from Australia.
“I want New Zealanders to keep in mind that even if Australia [opens up its borders for New Zealanders], that does not mean that they will not have to go into quarantine upon return. In fact, at this stage they will, ”he said during a press conference on Friday.
“In our opinion, we are not prepared to travel without quarantine with Australia. They have a very different strategy than ours, so they are making that decision and that is their prerogative, but for now of course we have to keep New Zealanders safe. “
A task force comprised of Tourism Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Flight Center and other industry leaders earlier this week outlined a plan that would allow New Zealanders to travel to Australia in November.
Ardern said Monday it was “possible” that trips through Tasmania could take place before Christmas, under a state-by-state approach.
