New Zealand Travel Bubble Announcement

[Gremlin]

I honestly don’t think there will be international travel bubbles anywhere... not until there is an effective vaccine.

Dunno that I agree. From what I understand from across the ditch, NZ would happily engage in an open bubble with Australian jurisdictions that meet a 28 day with no transmission in the community threshold, provided they weren't open to other jurisdictions that didn't meet that threshold. But ScoMo won't sign up to that because only Qld and WA meet that definition and they are the states he's trying to "punish".

If NSW can crush their lingering community transmission problem, then I think it's on the cards. I certainly hope so, because I think there's a sizeable gap between "vaccine" and "vaccine that's effective enough to fully reopen borders".

 

[jakeseven7]

If NSW can crush their lingering community transmission problem, then I think it's on the cards. I certainly hope so, because I think there's a sizeable gap between "vaccine" and "vaccine that's effective enough to fully reopen borders".

NSW can’t and won’t because they know what it will take... and they aren’t willing to take that step.

 

[dajop]

I honestly don’t think there will be international travel bubbles anywhere... not until there is an effective vaccine.

Wishful thinking on my behalf, but I live in hope that SG/AU bubble will come into being. One way of the bubble is taken care of. The rest is entirely in Australia's hands, so could be more challenging, but at least let NSW/VIC/ACT/NT could move into it. New case numbers here and the responses are very similar to NSW, majority imported, the local ones 1-2 every other day, jumped on by authorities (and most of those are in workers in dormitories, who are kept away from the broader community.)

 

[Lynda2475]

NZ flights into Vic resuming on Monday.

from news.com.au :

Direct international flights from New Zealand into Melbourne will be allowed to resume from Monday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Friday that he had written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison that morning confirming the flights could resume on November 9.

“That is direct flights into Tullamarine from New Zealand so that New Zealanders will be able to travel direct to Melbourne and throughout Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.

“While we found ourselves inadvertently in the New Zealand bubble, I’m not sure if bubbles have doors but the front door will now be (open).”

The Premier said the next logical step after Monday would be to reboot hotel quarantine as soon as possible and receive flights with returned overseas travellers.

But he said the government would wait until after they received advice from the Board of Inquiry’s interim report, which was expected to be released at noon on Friday, to make any announcements regarding hotel quarantine.

“We’ll be able to have landing in Melbourne again flights right across the world,” Mr Andrews said.

“That will be a challenge though, because as Victoria is reporting very low numbers, Australia is reporting very low numbers, (in) so many parts of the world this virus is completely and utterly out of control.

“The likelihood of people wanting to return into our country, and returning with the virus, is obviously higher than it’s ever been.

“That will be a real challenge but I think we’re equal to it.”

Mr Andrews said New Zealanders would not have to quarantine when they arrived in Melbourne.

“Rather than people coming here via another state, the back door of the bubble, now is the time, because cases are so low, we’re opening up, we can have flights coming from New Zealand direct into our city and state,” he said.

Victoria hasn’t accepted any overseas arrivals apart from less than 100 health and maritime workers with travel exemptions since late June when the hotel quarantine inquiry was announced.

Victoria recorded its seventh straight day of zero new coronavirus cases and no deaths on Friday.

Mr Andrews said it would be up to individual airlines and the airport as to when the first flight would land in Melbourne, but they would be allowed to do so from Monday.

“It may not happen from Monday but that when we’re happy to have it happen,” he said.

“I think Melbourne Airport will be very keen to have those flights land.”

 

[RooFlyer]

Mr Andrews said.

“While we found ourselves inadvertently in the New Zealand bubble, I’m not sure if bubbles have doors but the front door will now be (open).”

Nice line by the Premier

 

[jakeseven7]

Wishful thinking on my behalf, but I live in hope that SG/AU bubble will come into being. One way of the bubble is taken care of. The rest is entirely in Australia's hands, so could be more challenging, but at least let NSW/VIC/ACT/NT could move into it. New case numbers here and the responses are very similar to NSW, majority imported, the local ones 1-2 every other day, jumped on by authorities (and most of those are in workers in dormitories, who are kept away from the broader community.)

I honestly don't think it will happen. I suspect, the only 2 way bubble will be with NZ (if they even do it) given NSW has ongoing community transmission they may not do it.

My guess would be I think AU will allow one way bubbles but still quarantine required on return.

There simply isn't enough public drive for anything significant on international borders, while cases are so so low.

 

[dajop]

Unfortunately I think you are right. But if we can't open up (even with testing on arrival which remains an option) to places like Singapore and Taiwan, how are we ever ever going to allow any sort of international travel without quarantine even when a vaccine arrives (as vaccine won't be 100% effective, that's for sure).

 

[jakeseven7]

Unfortunately I think you are right. But if we can't open up (even with testing on arrival which remains an option) to places like Singapore and Taiwan, how are we ever ever going to allow any sort of international travel without quarantine even when a vaccine arrives (as vaccine won't be 100% effective, that's for sure).

No idea.... maybe the vaccine if it is a minimum viable product will be enough to slow the virus down enough to control it so risk tolerance will be higher then?

But NSW (specifically W and SW Sydney) and the ongoing community transmission there are holding us back from any 2 way bubble with ‘eradication’ countries like NZ and the Pacific Islands.... unless their risk tolerance grows or they just ban NSW/Sydney residents which would be highly political!

 

[dajop]

But NSW (specifically W and SW Sydney) and the ongoing community transmission there are holding us back from any 2 way bubble with ‘eradication’ countries like NZ and the Pacific Islands.... unless their risk tolerance grows or they just ban NSW/Sydney residents which would be highly political!

But it's not holding us back from countries with similar "low spread" philosophy to NSW, that's entirely on the Australian government. I think the problem is what is the end goal, elimination (then NZ is the only country) or aggressive suppression (which opens up a whole raft of other potential opportunities)?

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

But it's not holding us back from countries with similar "low spread" philosophy to NSW, that's entirely on the Australian government. I think the problem is what is the end goal, elimination (then NZ is the only country) or aggressive suppression (which opens up a whole raft of other potential opportunities)?

I think Australia has already set a benchmark with the one-way NZ quarantine-free arrival. Something like less 3 cases over 9 days....or something like that rings some sort of bell, (which also sounds like a version of the Federal non-metro hotspot rule)

 

[jakeseven7]

Well this big announcement might help the cause of the NZ travel bubble!

Hobart to become an international airport (again) in Jan 2021

Has been rumoured for a while and a joke for many many years that HBA kept its international name but no flights.....:) but Scott Morrison is today in Hobart and will announce that Hobart will be set up as an International Airport (again). Flights will commence from Jan 2021, with New Zealand...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[NZflygirl]

Ardern made comments today stating they have no intention of opening up quarantine-free travel to Australian arrivals this year.

No Travel Bubble in 2020

Interesting stat in the article about where NZ's unemployment is now at (spoiler: It's much, much better than Australia's and the wider OECD)...

Seriously disappointed in NZ govt for this stance. Barring NSW and VIC every state and territory has had no cases for longer than NZ has been without cases and much longer than the 28 days NZ would require to open. I don’t see the situation changing much by January so then what? Arguing various states are open to NSW reminds me of the argument against ACT being excluded from bubbles previously because they’re surrounded by NSW. I think part of that was the Batemans bay cluster as people from ACT would go there, but the fact is after clearing VIC seeding cases they didn’t have any imported cases so borders came down.

Whilst NSW doing a good job I’m not currently convinced they’ll clear the state of COVID meaning all of Australia will likely remain in a similar position to where they are now with borders. VIC looks promising but will wait and see over next few weeks given easing of restrictions.

I do wonder if NZ will aim for all of country (ie never open except to the islands until vaccine rollout completed) or state by state (they could do this now as 28 day requirements met) or adopt a hotspot approach (also doable now) like the NT have done and most recently QLD with respect to NSW. No mention of moving toward a home quarantine approach like WA are taking to NSW and VIC. There’s just no information. This far into it I figured there’d be some hint of what plans were.

I’ve suddenly lost some faith in the NZ govt to make progress in this area. I really hope any Aussies traveling to NZ for unwell relatives etc are given compassionate exemptions after the 1st swab. There’s just no reason to hold them and make them pay 3k.

It’s fair to say I am absolutely peeved at the NZ govt right now. And that’s putting it mildly. Rant...etc..

 

[DC3]

I’m confident that the NZ government has a handle on this, and will put Kiwis first, as it should.

 

[NZflygirl]

I’m confident that the NZ government has a handle on this, and will put Kiwis first, as it should.

Any additional information to add to this? So far I can't see any additional reason to defer the decision until 2021 to open to Australia. At least not based on Aussie case numbers ie facts. In my experience the NT is the gold standard in border operations. I've yet to fly back into WA but may do so before the NZ border is open so will check out their ops. Mean time NZ stiffles aviation, tourism etc I cannot applaud this either.

 

[dajop]

It’s fair to say I am absolutely peeved at the NZ govt right now. And that’s putting it mildly. Rant...etc..

We all have our perspective. I'm disappointed with the Australian govt as well (from the perspective of someone living somewhere where cases are very low, in fact 4 cases in 2 weeks in the community the rest either in overseas arrivals or in a segment of the community that are isolated from the rest of the community). And freer entry from here in Singapore could be a significant boon to inbound tourism, whilst not giving much away in terms of outbound tourism.

Both NZ and Aust governments are managing the optics as much as anything right now.

 

[DC3]

I seem to recall how the NZ government won the election in a landslide, recently. So, plenty of Kiwis seem to trust that their leaders have their interests at heart.

 

[NZflygirl]

We all have our perspective. I'm disappointed with the Australian govt as well (from the perspective of someone living somewhere where cases are very low, in fact 4 cases in 2 weeks in the community the rest either in overseas arrivals or in a segment of the community that are isolated from the rest of the community). And freer entry from here in Singapore could be a significant boon to inbound tourism, whilst not giving much away in terms of outbound tourism.

Both NZ and Aust governments are managing the optics as much as anything right now.

I’m not against others perspectives, just interested in the reasoning or information that leads people to those views.

After reading a couple more articles I’m beginning to wonder if Winston Peters was part of the drive for the bubble. With him now gone I’m seeing Robertson say they always wanted internal borders open first and Jacinda defaulting to “when it’s safe”. No answer, no timeframe. 6 of the 8 states and territories have had no locally acquired cases for ages. Previously Jacinda has said state by state would speed things up and be better for NZ.

No specifics on whether ALL internal borders need to be open or why....
eg WA opening Nov 14 plus allow home quarantine for NSW VIC. Does the NZ border depend on WA having quarantine free travel for NSW and VIC? QLD wants Sydney to go 28 days without I think unlinked cases. I want Sydney to achieve that but currently I’m doubtful it will. VIC looking good and anticipate borders coming down to them this year.
Would be great to know how many travellers from Australia from say September tested positive in MIQ.

I just feel like the NZ government went from being conservative and sensible to being stupid on this issue. Went from saying they could have a bubble up and running soon to....oh sometime early next year.... and quarantining people from most of Oz makes zero sense but they’re set to continue this for how many months?

Regarding Singapore I fully expect them to be the first Asian country Oz opens to. I read something about some zero days recently and prior to that the cases were largely dormitory related with little in the community but I haven’t found the right social media accounts to follow (news outlets aside) for info. Hoping for Taiwan also.

I seem to recall how the NZ government won the election in a landslide, recently. So, plenty of Kiwis seem to trust that their leaders have their interests at heart.

I don’t see the relevance of this. You vote for a government based on a whole bunch of policies to see you through until the next election. I’ve never said the NZ govt are useless at everything as that isn’t my position. I’m talking specifically about the trans Tasman bubble.

 

[DC3]

I’m not against others perspectives, just interested in the reasoning or information that leads people to those views ...

I just feel like the NZ government went from being conservative and sensible to being stupid on this issue ...

You vote for a government based on a whole bunch of policies to see you through until the next election. I’ve never said the NZ govt are useless at everything as that isn’t my position. I’m talking specifically about the trans Tasman bubble.

Well, we all have differing views on bubbles, and things. I try not to worry too much about things over which I have no control.

 

[jakeseven7]

I’m not against others perspectives, just interested in the reasoning or information that leads people to those views.

After reading a couple more articles I’m beginning to wonder if Winston Peters was part of the drive for the bubble. With him now gone I’m seeing Robertson say they always wanted internal borders open first and Jacinda defaulting to “when it’s safe”. No answer, no timeframe. 6 of the 8 states and territories have had no locally acquired cases for ages. Previously Jacinda has said state by state would speed things up and be better for NZ.

No specifics on whether ALL internal borders need to be open or why....
eg WA opening Nov 14 plus allow home quarantine for NSW VIC. Does the NZ border depend on WA having quarantine free travel for NSW and VIC? QLD wants Sydney to go 28 days without I think unlinked cases. I want Sydney to achieve that but currently I’m doubtful it will. VIC looking good and anticipate borders coming down to them this year.
Would be great to know how many travellers from Australia from say September tested positive in MIQ.

I just feel like the NZ government went from being conservative and sensible to being stupid on this issue. Went from saying they could have a bubble up and running soon to....oh sometime early next year.... and quarantining people from most of Oz makes zero sense but they’re set to continue this for how many months?

Regarding Singapore I fully expect them to be the first Asian country Oz opens to. I read something about some zero days recently and prior to that the cases were largely dormitory related with little in the community but I haven’t found the right social media accounts to follow (news outlets aside) for info. Hoping for Taiwan also.




I don’t see the relevance of this. You vote for a government based on a whole bunch of policies to see you through until the next election. I’ve never said the NZ govt are useless at everything as that isn’t my position. I’m talking specifically about the trans Tasman bubble.

Don’t feed the you know what’s

You are perfectly entitled to your opinion and also to have a slightly more complex relationship with the NZ government than ‘they are 100% correct at everything” v “they are useless at everything”

I agree with you, the case load in Australia outside of quarantine is so microscopic it really is bonkers now that a two way bubble isn’t firmly scheduled in (perhaps Sydney could be excluded if they wanted).

 

[seandenn]

I’m not against others perspectives, just interested in the reasoning or information that leads people to those views.

After reading a couple more articles I’m beginning to wonder if Winston Peters was part of the drive for the bubble. With him now gone I’m seeing Robertson say they always wanted internal borders open first and Jacinda defaulting to “when it’s safe”. No answer, no timeframe. 6 of the 8 states and territories have had no locally acquired cases for ages. Previously Jacinda has said state by state would speed things up and be better for NZ.

No specifics on whether ALL internal borders need to be open or why....
eg WA opening Nov 14 plus allow home quarantine for NSW VIC. Does the NZ border depend on WA having quarantine free travel for NSW and VIC? QLD wants Sydney to go 28 days without I think unlinked cases. I want Sydney to achieve that but currently I’m doubtful it will. VIC looking good and anticipate borders coming down to them this year.
Would be great to know how many travellers from Australia from say September tested positive in MIQ.

I just feel like the NZ government went from being conservative and sensible to being stupid on this issue. Went from saying they could have a bubble up and running soon to....oh sometime early next year.... and quarantining people from most of Oz makes zero sense but they’re set to continue this for how many months?

Regarding Singapore I fully expect them to be the first Asian country Oz opens to. I read something about some zero days recently and prior to that the cases were largely dormitory related with little in the community but I haven’t found the right social media accounts to follow (news outlets aside) for info. Hoping for Taiwan also.




I don’t see the relevance of this. You vote for a government based on a whole bunch of policies to see you through until the next election. I’ve never said the NZ govt are useless at everything as that isn’t my position. I’m talking specifically about the trans Tasman bubble.

I'm with you NZflygirl. As an Australian resident in Auckland - what seemed like a cautious approach is now looking nonsensical and preventing tourism and business (AU/NZ bubble) and agriculture (NZ/Pacific bubble) to get back to some degree of normality - let alone the hundreds of thousands of us who can't see family and friends. Today's announcement that they can't even commit yet to a Cook Islands bubble and the NZ team who are being sent over to investigate arrangements will have to go into 14 day quarantine on return (from a place that hasn't had a single case ) is making me lose all hope of a Trans Tasman bubble anytime soon......