New Zealand Travel Bubble Announcement

[henrus]

Has the NZ bubble been slightly extended to include the cook islands or is it a mistake?

The South Australian website now lists the Cook Islands as a destination that doesn't require quarantine.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

NZ has had a bubble with Cook Islands for over a month.

 

[Anna]

The South Australian website now lists the Cook Islands as a destination that doesn't require quarantine.

My interpretation is that the SA Health website lists the Cook Islands as a journey starting point that doesn't require SA quarantine on arrival. Not as a 'destination' from SA. When I checked the CI govt info yesterday, it did not include any Australians in a bubble. Also when l last checked the Air NZ website you couldn't make a booking Aust - xNZ - CI, so I think it would need to be 2 separate flight bookings atm.

If you depart SA with CI as the 'destination', 14 days in NZ is still required first before arriving in CI. And some people think Australians still can't freely go to CI because of the Aust govt ban on citizens/residents travelling.

I am wondering if the SA govt is importing some workers from CI therefore has maybe temporarily relaxed the arrival quarantine requirement, but I hope that is not the case.

 

[justinbrett]

I am wondering if the SA govt is importing some workers from CI therefore has maybe temporarily relaxed the arrival quarantine requirement, but I hope that is not the case.

That's not their call, that's up to the federal government.

Note: The Cook Islands and Niue are not currently part of the quarantine-free travel agreement between Australia and New Zealand.

COVID-19 and the border

covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

 

[henrus]

For anyone following (or trying to keep up with) the bubble news... from midnight tonight the Trans Tasman bubble will be open with all states except NSW and QLD. It's still worth noting that tests are required from all states/territories and according to the NZ govt will be for the foreseeable future.

QLD does open at midnight tonight however as these are "return green flights" only those eligible can fly on them however you don't need to be living in NZ permanently. The eligibility is limited to NZ citizens/residents, AU citizens/residents who have been in NZ after 5 April this year, and a handful of other visa types. QLD flights are expected to be back normal next week (providing case numbers aren't a concern).

NSW was going to open tonight for return green flights but this has been further paused and currently, those returning from NZ next week actually will need to complete 2 weeks of hotel quarantine.

 

[justinbrett]

So open to QLD from tonight.

Puzzlingly, even if a NSWer has been in a safe state for 14 days, they still can't go, if they were in NSW on 26 June or after.

I don't get that rule at all, it makes no sense.

 

[Berlin]

So open to QLD from tonight.

Yay- my birthday trip to the Gold Coast has been saved at the very last moment!

 

[justinbrett]

I just cancelled a four week trip to NZ next month. Thousands of dollars worth of accommodation bookings, but luckily 90% of them were fully refundable. I have asked for discretion for the rest to at least get a credit. Flights were classic reward J so assuming Qantas will cancel but if not I only lose the cancellation fee.

Would have been my first international flight since covid started. Serves me right for trying, I'm not going to bother again.

 

[oznflfan]

My trip's fathers day early Sept via SYD, but can re-direct to & from MEL if needed, all on QFF. Think I can return via SYD as 1.5 hour transit without leaving airport, but might just return via MEL just in case.

Figure if SYD still in Lockdown by end of first week of August, NZ won't be opening to SYD 3 weeks later.

 

[Mattg]

Has the NZ bubble been slightly extended to include the cook islands or is it a mistake?

The South Australian website now lists the Cook Islands as a destination that doesn't require quarantine.

View attachment 252292

The Cook Islands section has now been removed from moved on the SA government website.

 

[henrus]

The Cook Islands section has now been removed from the SA government website.

Spoke to soon... it can still be found down the bottom:

 

[Mattg]

Spoke to soon... it can still be found down the bottom:

View attachment 253015

Ha - indeed it can be. They must have moved it.

 

[henrus]

Ha - indeed it can be. They must have moved it.

It seems like someone at the South Australian government really wants a Cook Islands bubble.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

NZers in Victoria advised by the minister to come back to NZ now if they don't want to get stuck. Seems Victoria bubble is also about to be paused.

 

[Hillbilly64]

My cousin just got stuck there he had 3 flights booked yesterday but couldn't fly till he got his test back but it didn't come back in time.... the new requirement makes it hard to get out fast.

 

[henrus]

My cousin just got stuck there he had 3 flights booked yesterday but couldn't fly till he got his test back but it didn't come back in time

In those situations my recommendation to Kiwi's is get out of the state about to pause to any other state.

NZ's funny rules mean that even if you've been in Victoria in the last 14 days as long as you got out before 11:59pm (AEST) then you can still fly back to NZ.

 

[Lynda2475]

There are repatriation flights for Kiwis to get home from Sydney oer the next 2 weeks:

Repatriation flights for Kiwis stranded in Sydney booked out

Repatriation flights to get New Zealanders stranded in Sydney home have sold out in a matter of hours.

www.news.com.au

 

[Hillbilly64]

That's a good plan for future visits. Thanks

 

[neozelatino]

Argh I am guessing that the suspension of Victoria travel to NZ will be extended now...

 

[Berlin]

Argh I am guessing that the suspension of Victoria travel to NZ will be extended now...

Unfortunately, you can bet on that. I’ve pretty much given up in my trip to Melbourne in two weeks time even.