Australia and New Zealand to start quarantine-free travel

Australian and New Zealand residents will be able to travel between the two nations without having to quarantine from 19 April. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the move on Tuesday. Since October, New Zealand travellers have been allowed to enter most Australian states without quarantine, but this had not been reciprocated.

Both nations have since contained Covid outbreaks and kept infection rates near zero. The countries shut their borders in March last year and brought in compulsory quarantine for returning nationals.

When outbreaks have emerged, both Australia and New Zealand have instated snap lockdowns to halt the virus from spreading. Ms Ardern praised such aggressive responses as key to opening the travel bubble.

"I cannot see or point to any countries in the world that are maintaining a strategy of keeping their countries completely Covid-free, whilst opening up to international travel between each other," she said.

"That means that, in a way, you know, we are world-leading."

How would the bubble work?

Australians making the trip to New Zealand will travel on "green zone" flights which will carry conditions. Passengers will be required to have spent the 14 days before the flight in Australia only. Airline crews must have only worked on low-risk routes. Those with cold or flu symptoms will not be allowed to travel, and all passengers must wear masks and give details to New Zealand authorities of where they will be staying.

Ms Ardern warned that travel arrangements could change "if there is an outbreak", but said New Zealand would view cases in Australia "as a region of our own when making decisions on restrictions".

If multiple cases of an unknown origin emerged "we would likely suspend flights for a set period of time", she added. Other conditions may be brought in too, including pre-departure testing for people from affected areas.

"These precautions are all part of our preparation to keep Covid out," she said.

"Both countries have had border incursions and I know neither one of us wishes to export Covid to the other country." About 1.5 million Australians used to visit New Zealand annually prior to the pandemic - about 40% of that nation's international visitors.

Ms Ardern said she expected most travellers taking early trips would be going to see family and friends - but added the upcoming ski season would also be an attraction. This travel bubble is believed to be the second in the world, after one opened up between the islands of Taiwan and Palau last week.