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New Zealand to open travel bubble with Australia on April 19

PTI Wellington | Updated on April 06, 2021

The start of quarantine-free travel between the neighbouring nations comes as a relief to families who have been separated by Covid-19 as well as to struggling tourist operators

New Zealand announced on Tuesday it will open a long-anticipated travel bubble with Australia on April 19.

The start of quarantine-free travel between the neighbouring nations comes as a relief to families who have been separated by the coronavirus pandemic as well as to struggling tourist operators.

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

Both countries have been successful in stamping out the spread of the virus.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said health officials believe the risk of the virus being transmitted from Australia is low and that travel is now safe.

“The bubble will give our economic recovery a boost and represents a world-leading arrangement of safely opening up international travel while continuing to pursue a strategy of elimination and keeping the virus out,” Ardern said.

Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without going into quarantine but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach, requiring travellers from Australia to spend two weeks in quarantine upon arrival.

Published on April 06, 2021

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