Trans- Tasman Travel Bubble Finally Announced
An exciting day indeed! The long-awaited announcement of when we can travel to see our cousins across the ditch has been released!
After more than a year of either being closed or being forced into mandatory quarantine, Jacinda Ardern announced today that from 19th April 2021, or more precisely, 11.59pm on 18th April, Australian’s can dust off their passport to fly to New Zealand, without having to enter mandatory hotel quarantine.
Addressing the media from Wellington this afternoon, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave the green light to welcome Australian travellers back to the land of the long white cloud.
After more than a year of either being closed or being forced into mandatory quarantine, Jacinda Ardern announced today that from 19th April 2021, or more precisely, 11.59pm on 18th April, Australian’s can dust off their passport to fly to New Zealand, without having to enter mandatory hotel quarantine.
Addressing the media from Wellington this afternoon, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave the green light to welcome Australian travellers back to the land of the long white cloud.
What Happens if more COVID-19 Cases Arise
If multiple cases of unknown origin show again, the country could suspend flights for a set period of time.
"While we absolutely wish to encourage family and friends to reunite and visitors to come and enjoy the hospitality New Zealand is ready and waiting to offer, those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware.
"People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak."
Ms Ardern said New Zealand now has a framework for managing an outbreak in Australia.
"Once we know about a case in Australia, we will have three possible responses when it comes to flights and access to our border.
"We've captured these with a framework based on continue, pause, or suspend.
"For instance, if a case is found that is quite clearly linked to a border worker in a quarantine facility and is well contained, you'll likely see travel continue in the same way.
"If, however, a case was found that was not clearly linked to the border, and a state responded by a short lockdown to identify more information, we'd likely pause flights from that state in the same way we would stop travel into and out of a region in New Zealand as if it were going into a full lockdown."
"While we absolutely wish to encourage family and friends to reunite and visitors to come and enjoy the hospitality New Zealand is ready and waiting to offer, those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware.
"People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak."
Ms Ardern said New Zealand now has a framework for managing an outbreak in Australia.
"Once we know about a case in Australia, we will have three possible responses when it comes to flights and access to our border.
"We've captured these with a framework based on continue, pause, or suspend.
"For instance, if a case is found that is quite clearly linked to a border worker in a quarantine facility and is well contained, you'll likely see travel continue in the same way.
"If, however, a case was found that was not clearly linked to the border, and a state responded by a short lockdown to identify more information, we'd likely pause flights from that state in the same way we would stop travel into and out of a region in New Zealand as if it were going into a full lockdown."
Where to Next? - Possible South Pacific and Asia Travel Bubbles
Ardern said that the next bubble they were looking at creating was with the Cook Islands and negotiations were still in discussion with them to hopefully have them looking at the end of May.
Both Australia and New Zealand are also in discussions with Singapore to create an Asian bubble as well.
Both Australia and New Zealand are also in discussions with Singapore to create an Asian bubble as well.
Air New Zealand’s COVID Compassionate Refund Option
A dedicated team has been set up at Air New Zealand to process compassionate refunds, enabling a much easier process for customers to request a refund, even if they already hold a credit.
Customer’s who can no longer travel due to ill health or financial hardship due to COVID-19 can now apply for a refund, rather than receive a credit for future travel. After COVID related border closures and uncertainty that has created changing circumstances for many travellers, the airline’s compassionate refund policy will certainly give peace of mind when booking Trans-Tasman flights.
Flights can be booked on Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin now. Click here for flight options.
Customer’s who can no longer travel due to ill health or financial hardship due to COVID-19 can now apply for a refund, rather than receive a credit for future travel. After COVID related border closures and uncertainty that has created changing circumstances for many travellers, the airline’s compassionate refund policy will certainly give peace of mind when booking Trans-Tasman flights.
Flights can be booked on Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin now. Click here for flight options.