A quarantine-free travel arrangement between New Zealand and Australia could be a "world-first," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Tuesday, with reports suggesting borders between both nations may open as soon as the end of the week.
Libby Hogan reports.
New Zealand
Jacinda Ardern
COVID-19A travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia will kick off next week.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Tuesday that quarantine-free travel will begin on April 19 for the neighbouring countries.
She said that conditions for the bubble had been met and will give economic recovery a boost.
New Zealand broadcaster 1NEWS said that the bubble is expected to run on a state-by-state basis and would restrict travellers from certain areas if there is an outbreak.
The two countries faced mounting pressure from businesses to re-open borders.
The plans for the bubble were previously shelved after sporadic outbreaks in some Australian cities.
But both countries have managed the pandemic better than other developed nations after closing their international borders to non-citizens relatively early during the health crisis.
Australia has had just over 900 deaths and New Zealand recorded 24 deaths from COVID-19.
Excited passengers prepare to fly from Sydney Airport to New Zealand on the first flights to take advantage of a quarantine-free..
For the first time in more than 12 months there will be freedom of movement between the two states.
New Zealand has announced it will open a long-anticipated travel bubble with Australia on April 19.New Zealand prime minister..