I doubt the NZ government would be able to dictate where the tests could be taken - it's up to the Australian or state governments (ie, not wanting to burden the public system with healthy travellers). But I think with the small numbers and benefits of trans tasman travel to the economy, they'd just use the existing systems.
Perhaps some creative thinking is required. I.E. Pay for your test from private pathology, and if you spend at least 3 nights in the country (likely spending money on hotels, food, entertainment etc) then apply to NZ government to have cost of test reimbursed to incentivise travel.
They did during the VIC green return flights. Can anyone remember what the requirements were then?
Do we know it was them who determined that, or was it the Victorian government who didn't want to waste their resources on travellers? I very much doubt the NZ government would make a list without consultation with the host government.
I am from regional Vic and flew out of SYD at the time. A private PCR test was required. This was very much NZ's decision to make, and would have had no input from the AU or state govt's. A private test generates a detailed result, which the mass vaccination clinics do not.
Yes, it makes sense they dictate what test you get - not where you get it or who you get it from.I am from regional Vic and flew out of SYD at the time. A private PCR test was required. This was very much NZ's decision to make, and would have had no input from the AU or state govt's. A private test generates a detailed result, which the mass vaccination clinics do not.
NZ did not specify who to go to, but they did mandate the details required. A text message from the mass vaccination clinics did not meet that.
International travel
Information for air and sea travellers about entering and leaving New Zealand.covid19.govt.nz
I went to ClinLabs in Traralgon (Vic). It cost $150 and I got the result 21 hours later. Any of the major pathology labs do them, but only from certain testing locations.
Wow- that’s a lot of money to ease some Kiwis’ paranoia. I might even pay for it but for many people, this would be the final nail in the coffin with regards to the bubble. Won’t help with all those empty seats I’m afraid…
The requirement was only during the Melbourne outbreak period. And I would hardly call it paranoia. More about ensuring if there is Covid in the community it is not brought to NZ.
Let’s see how this will end up now. $150 per head would be prohibitively expensive for many people.
It’s pretty normal for travel in UK/Europe to have to pay for a private covid test, often multiple when traveling.
As I said, I’ll happily pay for it. But I bet it will make many folks out there even less likely to travel trans-Tasman.
That would totally FREAK me out to be honest!
Kiwi accents?
Plug for the latest @madrooster on air podcast, where he goes into testing in some detail and mentions some rapid testing locations
www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au
www.abc.net.au
Was thinking you beauty, maybe I'll go to NZ on Friday!NZ reopening to Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia only.
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New Zealand to resume quarantine-free travel with SA, the ACT, Tasmania and Victoria from July 5
States going 'hard and fast' on restrictions in bid to keep Delta variant under control
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk again calls for a reduction in international arrivals as the state announces a three-day lockdown, while authorities in New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory closely monitor local outbreaks.
