New Zealand Will Announce Commencement Date for Trans-Tasman Travel on April 6
Mountainwatch | News
As we reported last week, it was hoped that the start date for a trans-Tasman travel bubble would be announced by the NZ government today, with mid-April the possible date. However, at a press conference this afternoon, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern named April 6th as the date her government will announce the commencement date of quarantine-free travel with Australia.
To be clear – that is the day they will announce the opening date of the trans-Tasman bubble, not the day the bubble will open.
During the press conference Prime Minister Ardern outlined the criteria that need to be met before her Government gives the trans-Tasman bubble the go ahead:
- – That our response framework for when there are cases in Australia is fit for purpose and ready
- – We have measures in place to effectively contact trace travellers from Australia, should we need to
- – All techinal issues are resolved, including transiting passengers
- – That we have the appropriate regulatory mechanisms in place
- – That airlines, airports and agencies are ready
- – That the Director General of Health has provided an up to date health assessment.
“Once we’ve met those criteria we anticipate we will be in a position to open the bubble,” the Prime Minister said.
Of course, the possibility of an outbreak in either country and a subsequent shutdown of the borders is a real possibility, which could see travellers stranded in either country. As Prime Minister Ardern said, “There will be an element of flyer beware.”
Hopefully all the details will be worked out and the start date of the trans-Tasman bubble is not far away. We should know in a couple of weeks.
