Trans-Tasman travel pause to lift for some states next week

New Zealand will lift its pause on quarantine-free travel from South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and Victoria next week.

The pause will be lifted for the four states from 11:59pm (NZT) from Sunday 4 July.

However, Kiwi COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has warned that the date could change depending on the situation in Australia between now and Sunday.

He said evidence of a negative pre-departure test will be required before travellers from those states would be allowed to fly to New Zealand, and travellers must not have been in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia on or after 10:30pm (NZT) on 26 June 2021.

They must also not have been in NSW on or after 11:59pm (NZT) on 22 June.

“A risk assessment has been completed for each state and territory,” Hipkins said.

“NSW is currently seen as the most risk; Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory are higher risk than we are comfortable with; and South Australia, ACT, Tasmania and Victoria are consistent with our green flights category.”

Hipkins said the decision was made on Tuesday to give airlines, passengers and government officials time to prepare to return from the four states.

“We know how important the bubble is, in particular for families and businesses. But we also want to avoid a situation where we are having to respond to a case here in New Zealand,” he said.

“Our system from here, of only opening up to states as and when they are able to contain COVID-19, will help New Zealand to stay at Alert Level 1.

“Travellers must have a test no more than 72 hours before their scheduled departure time, which means they have to have a sample taken and result returned within the three day time period.”

The trans-Tasman travel bubble has been suspended since Saturday night and was expected to lift on Tuesday.

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