Trans-Tasman bubble to Victoria paused

New Zealand will pause the trans-Tasman bubble with Victoria on Tuesday evening for at least 72 hours after the state’s new COVID cluster grew to nine. The country’s minister in charge of responding to the virus said the decision was a “close call” but the correct one given many unknowns about the outbreak remain. Victoria’s current cluster today more than doubled from just four yesterday, though in positive news one of the latest cases is now believed to be the source of the outbreak. “While the case announced today is not unexpected as a contact of a case announced yesterday, New Zealand officials have assessed that the most cautious option is to pause the travel bubble with Victoria as there are still several unknowns with the outbreak,” COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. “The government understands the disruption this will temporarily cause affected passengers. It was a close call but the correct one given the current unknowns.”<br/>