Australia extends 'travel bubble' suspension with NZ for further 72 hours until Sunday

Reuters Updated - January 28, 2021 at 09:04 AM.

A Qantas Airways (R) and an Emirates Airlines Airbus A380 fly in formation during a flyover at an altitude of around 450 m (1500 ft) above the Sydney Centrepoint Tower March 31, 2013. The flyover was part of a promotion to mark the commencement of the five-year alliance between struggling national flag carrier Qantas Airways Ltd and Emirates Airline, and was being promoted as the first time that two commercial airline A380 planes have flown in formation. Australia's competition regulator granted conditional final approval on March 27 for the alliance, just days before the first Qantas flight is due to transit through Dubai. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz (AUSTRALIA - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

Australia on Thursday extended its suspension of the "travel bubble" arrangement with New Zealand for another 72 hours until Sunday, mandating a 14-day hotel quarantine for all arrivals.

The trans-Tasman bubble was suspended on Monday after New Zealand detected a positive coronavirus case with the South African strain which, authorities say, is highly transmissible.

New Zealand reported two more cases on Wednesday linked to the strain.

The suspension "allows continuing protection of the people of Australia while the extent of the situation in New Zealand continues to be clarified", Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer told a televised conference.

Published on January 28, 2021 03:34