New Zealand halts travel bubble with Australian state | Inquirer News

New Zealand halts travel bubble with Australian state

/ 04:15 PM May 25, 2021

People queue at a Covid-19 testing station in Melbourne on May 25, 2021, as the city recorded five new locally-acquired coronavirus cases in the community after an 85-day unbroken stretch of zero infections. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

WELLINGTON — New Zealand suspended quarantine-free travel with Australia’s Victoria state over a new coronavirus cluster Tuesday, the fourth time the trans-Tasman travel bubble has been disrupted since it opened last month.

Officials in Wellington said they were taking a cautious approach after Melbourne recorded nine locally acquired cases in the past two days, believed to be related to a leak from a quarantine hotel.

Article continues after this advertisement

New Zealand’s Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said the suspension would take effect at 8:00pm (0800 GMT) Tuesday and remain in place for at least 72 hours.

FEATURED STORIES

“The government understands the disruption this will temporarily cause affected passengers,” he said.

“It was a close call but the correct one given the current unknowns.”

Article continues after this advertisement

As it stands, the suspension will be lifted in time for the Otago Highlanders-Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby match in Queenstown, which will be attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

Article continues after this advertisement

Morrison will be in New Zealand for bilateral diplomatic talks.

Article continues after this advertisement

It is the fourth disruption since the two countries opened their quarantine-free travel bubble on April 18, almost 400 days after both closed their international borders due to the pandemic.

Flights to Western Australia have been suspended twice previously and services to New South Wales were affected earlier this month.

Article continues after this advertisement

All of the Australian outbreaks were caused by infections connected to hotels used to quarantine international travelers.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: Australia, COVID-19, New Zealand, Travel Bubble, Victoria

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.