New Zealand Travel Bubble Announcement

[acinod]

Just got my Xmas Qantas flight to nz cancelled. Sounds like Qantas may have given up on flights to NZ these holidays?

 

[sydneyboi]

That sux I'm so sorry - Im booked for the end of January, I hope it happens....

 

[DC3]

Is there any indication that the NZ Government will allow us Ozzie tourists (non-NZ citizens) to enter before 1st January 2022? My flight is booked for mid-February.

 

[Princess Fiona]

So- I was just checking the NSW government websites and it looks that entering the country will be a bit tougher than hoped: Nosetickle test within 24 hours of arrival, another one a week later and you can't visit your favourite pub (or any hospitality venue for that matter) until that second test came back negative.

Sucks a bit, I must say

It’s been reported on other threads but this has now been updated and you are free to go from arrivals to the pub now
NSW Health

 

[Croupier]

Can the required tests be done at the free testing centers with the SMS confirmation proof enough or do you have to pay for the test and receive proof of negative result with your name DOB and QR code?

 

[justinbrett]

Can the required tests be done at the free testing centers with the SMS confirmation proof enough or do you have to pay for the test and receive proof of negative result with your name DOB and QR code?

Inbound tests are the normal public testing centres, including drive through. Free.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Is there any indication that the NZ Government will allow us Ozzie tourists (non-NZ citizens) to enter before 1st January 2022? My flight is booked for mid-February.

Not yet. Other relaxations are being tied to every DHB getting to 90% double vacced, which is unlikely by the end of this year.

 

[encryptededdy]

if you have a medicare card you should be able to do this via a tele-health appointment

For what it's worth has anyone had any success with this?

My GP tells me that their interpretation of the AIR rules is that I need to be in-country before they can add my vaccination to the system.

 

[Berlin]

For what it's worth has anyone had any success with this?

My GP tells me that their interpretation of the AIR rules is that I need to be in-country before they can add my vaccination to the system.

Yep, that's what I've been told by the reception dragons of my old GP in Sydney as well. And looking at the wording on the Servicesaustralia website, it technically says the same "You can have it recorded on the AIR when you return to Australia". I'll go onto a stroll through Sydney CBD this Friday straight after arrival, hoping to find a pharmacist who has some mercy with me and can add it into the system.

Getting help during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Help adding overseas vaccinations - Services Australia

 

[burmans]

Just got my Xmas Qantas flight to nz cancelled. Sounds like Qantas may have given up on flights to NZ these holidays?

I've got a flight booked 14 December as a SQ points booking (Air NZ). Not expecting to go but would actually prefer if they would just cancel too so I can confirm alternate arrangements. I have cousins (who we are close to) coming back from Belgium and the US so its not as if we haven't got other Xmas options but the will they/won't they situation is a pain.

 

[encryptededdy]

COVID Safe business

Support and guidance for businesses and workplaces becoming COVID Safe.

www.nsw.gov.au

This site detailing Proof of Vaccination advice for businesses in NSW has been updated just a few days ago to now include the following option;

• An email or other document (printed or electronic) from the Department of Home Affairs that confirms you have completed an Australia Travel Declaration and you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 overseas.

This is good news for us, however I suspect that lots of businesses won't know of these changes yet and it might be a bit of a pain to get them to accept these documents.

Also, I'm not entirely sure what document from the DHA shows Australia Travel Declaration + Covid-19 vaccination?

 

[justinbrett]

I shall refer to this thread next time I'm accused of being OT by a moderator

 

[JessicaTam]

I shall refer to this thread next time I'm accused of being OT by a moderator

I have beaten you to the pass...

New thread created: General COVID testing discussion

 

[Berlin]

Just arrived safely from New Zealand about an hour ago- so relieved. AKL airport completely dead and no lounge open. Very thorough examination of all paperwork including NZ proof of vaccination and Covid Test results. Overheard some other guests being in trouble as they only had the little NZ vaccination card rather then the official email/letter from the department of health and the latter seemed not to be good enough. Also a word of warning- they wanted to see the actual Covid test result from Labtest and not a letter from a doctor simply confirming your negative test.

Flight itself on AirNZ surprisingly uneventful. Business class was full to the last seat and I think the entire plane was from what I could tell. Unlike Qantas, no downgraded service but proper AirNZ international menu, meals and plenty of Champagne which we really enjoyed. Upon arrival, the usual useless announcement over the intercom by some Australian government person (we somehow have to keep them busy for all those tax payer $$$ it seems…) and, even more useless, a coloured A4 print out. Like the announcement, none of the really interesting questions where answered (like where to get the 24 hour Covid test) but you were rather told to wash your hands, expect the worst if you have a sore throat and so on.

At Sydney, Duty Free on arrival was closed and fenced off but otherwise not any different from normal. We were only asked whether we are vaccinated but this wasn’t even checked and out at the luggage belt we were. Somehow Sydney airport decided to save money on the air conditioning in the terminal and therefore everyone was sweating like hell. Our “Priority” tagged suitcases came off the belt last- good to know that it’s not only Qantas who doesn’t manage to get this right.

To our surprise- with no word it was mentioned that we need to get a 24 hour and then a 7 day test, let alone informed where to get those. Definitely no testing facility there at arrivals either so I wonder how many will actually bother to go and to them. Not there would be any chance to enforce this anyway unless it’s somehow connected to your Medicare which I highly doubt. We’ll go to some walk in testing clinic sometime tomorrow most likely, just to do the right thing.

 

[sydneyboi]

IF I make it to NZ in Jan I know I will have a really hard time getting a test to come back to Sydney if the bubble doesn't resume....I'm happy to get one leaving Sydney but it doesn't make sense to get one to come back.....I dunno

 

[MooTime]

Just arrived safely from New Zealand about an hour ago- so relieved. AKL airport completely dead and no lounge open. Very thorough examination of all paperwork including NZ proof of vaccination and Covid Test results. Overheard some other guests being in trouble as they only had the little NZ vaccination card rather then the official email/letter from the department of health and the latter seemed not to be good enough. Also a word of warning- they wanted to see the actual Covid test result from Labtest and not a letter from a doctor simply confirming your negative test.

Flight itself on AirNZ surprisingly uneventful. Business class was full to the last seat and I think the entire plane was from what I could tell. Unlike Qantas, no downgraded service but proper AirNZ international menu, meals and plenty of Champagne which we really enjoyed. Upon arrival, the usual useless announcement over the intercom by some Australian government person (we somehow have to keep them busy for all those tax payer $$$ it seems…) and, even more useless, a coloured A4 print out. Like the announcement, none of the really interesting questions where answered (like where to get the 24 hour Covid test) but you were rather told to wash your hands, expect the worst if you have a sore throat and so on.

At Sydney, Duty Free on arrival was closed and fenced off but otherwise not any different from normal. We were only asked whether we are vaccinated but this wasn’t even checked and out at the luggage belt we were. Somehow Sydney airport decided to save money on the air conditioning in the terminal and therefore everyone was sweating like hell. Our “Priority” tagged suitcases came off the belt last- good to know that it’s not only Qantas who doesn’t manage to get this right.

To our surprise- with no word it was mentioned that we need to get a 24 hour and then a 7 day test, let alone informed where to get those. Definitely no testing facility there at arrivals either so I wonder how many will actually bother to go and to them. Not there would be any chance to enforce this anyway unless it’s somehow connected to your Medicare which I highly doubt. We’ll go to some walk in testing clinic sometime tomorrow most likely, just to do the right thing.

nice update.

If you get tested in VIC, you need you medicare card & the test will show up on your medicare record, just FYI.

 

[Berlin]

Just got our day 1 test. Easy walk-in by St. Vincent’s in Darlo. Very easily done, well signed, nurses all fiddling their thumbs and bored to death as hardly any “takers”.

Medicare numbers, address details and phone number taken and then a nice tickle up both nostrils. Easy as.

Also- once hour vaccination is added to the AIR, it’s a super easy two click endeavour to sync your vaccination with both the NSW and the VIC app. Once at a venue, you scan the QR code and it automatically also provided prove of vaccination to the venue/security guard/bouncer if there is one (not only at pubs- saw a line outside DJs on our way too with the same). Must say- very well done Aussie government. I would have never thought I’d say this but NZ is light years behind right now.

P.S.: There’s also life here, we love it. Everything is open, people are in a good mood and the Australian sun is shining. We are happier today than in a very long time!

 

[encryptededdy]

Also- once hour vaccination is added to the AIR, it’s a super easy two click endeavour to sync your vaccination with both the NSW and the VIC app. Once at a venue, you scan the QR code and it automatically also provided prove of vaccination to the venue/security guard/bouncer if there is one (not only at pubs- saw a line outside DJs on our way too with the same). Must say- very well done Aussie government. I would have never thought I’d say this but NZ is light years behind right now.

That's good to hear. Where did you end up going to get your vax cert recognised?

 

[jakeseven7]

Just got our day 1 test. Easy walk-in by St. Vincent’s in Darlo. Very easily done, well signed, nurses all fiddling their thumbs and bored to death as hardly any “takers”.

Medicare numbers, address details and phone number taken and then a nice tickle up both nostrils. Easy as.

Also- once hour vaccination is added to the AIR, it’s a super easy two click endeavour to sync your vaccination with both the NSW and the VIC app. Once at a venue, you scan the QR code and it automatically also provided prove of vaccination to the venue/security guard/bouncer if there is one (not only at pubs- saw a line outside DJs on our way too with the same). Must say- very well done Aussie government. I would have never thought I’d say this but NZ is light years behind right now.

P.S.: There’s also life here, we love it. Everything is open, people are in a good mood and the Australian sun is shining. We are happier today than in a very long time!

So glad you escaped the Lockdown Kingdom!

 

[encryptededdy]

https://www.qantas.com/nz/en/coronavirus/international-travel/new-zealand-flights.html

Looks like Qantas un-cancelled their flights. Twice weekly A330s from AKL -> SYD are back starting 6th December.