Trans-Tasman bubble: Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand will restart on April 19

Kiwis will be able to fly to and from Australia without a stay in a managed isolation hotel from Monday April 19. The date of the much-discussed trans-Tasman bubble was announced by PM Jacinda Ardern after it was finalised at a Cabinet meeting. It will end the year-long period where travel between the two countries was more restricted than it had ever been in the modern era. Ardern said she made the change after Health Director General Ashley Bloomfield told her the risk from Australia was low. “The Director-General of Health considers the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from Australia to New Zealand is low and that quarantine free travel is safe to commence,” Ardern said. Those travelling to or from New Zealand on a quarantine-free flight will not be allowed to travel if they have cold or flu symptoms – however an actual Covid-19 test will likely not be required. Anyone awaiting the result of a Covid-19 test from the last 14 days or who has had a positive Covid-19 test result in the last 14 days will not be able to travel. Masks will be required to be worn on flights.<br/>