Trans-Tasman travel bubble suspension extended

New Zealand has extended the suspension of quarantine-free travel arrangements with neighbouring Australia for another five days, and will require all incoming travellers to be tested for the coronavirus before arrival. New Zealand Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins says the pause — first announced on 26 June following a spike in cases in various parts of Australia — is set to lift at 11:59pm local time on 4 July. The lifting will only apply to four Australian states and territories — Tasmania, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, as well as South Australia — which the New Zealand government has deemed to be of lower risk. Hipkins did not state when the suspension with other Australian states will lift. “The pause with Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland will remain in place so that outstanding test results can be returned and to give New Zealand time to assess next steps. This will be reviewed again on Tuesday, 6 July,” the minister adds. Hipkins notes that New South Wales, which is mostly under lockdown, is “currently seen as the most risk”, while Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory are at higher risk “than we are comfortable with”. <br/>