Two-way Trans-Tasman Bubble starting 19 April 2021

[henrus]

Thanks. Contacted QF via their contact form (got a return phone call within 5 days last week for a previous enquiry) and will report any responses.

Qantas' Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully told Executive Traveller the following:

Interestingly I can add an invitation to my MEL-SYD leg (AKL-MEL-SYD) which is weird as that is in J anyway :S

Weird that it'd let you link to a J flight. Are you sure it lets you actually link it? I've got a domestic J flight soon that comes up in the complimentary invitation list but when clicking on the link button it says "already has access":

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Only 24 pax on flight.

Arrival. Someone came on board to make a lengthy health announcement. Then down the 20s pier. Temperature taken and NSW travel declaration number written down on a clipboard. Mask off to use smartgate. Through landside about 10 minutes after leaving aircraft. Will be longer on fuller flights or if just arrive after another flight from NZ.

Note no bathrooms available until landside.

 

[henrus]

Then down the 20s pier. Temperature taken and NSW travel declaration number written down on a clipboard

Was arrival duty-free open?

All of that sounds quite standard including the health announcement (they also do that on flights from Norfolk, Christmas/Cocos Islands).

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Yes duty free was open at both departure and arrival.

 

[gluewell14]

Looks like the loophole has been closed -

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384480129577934856

Biosecurity Legislation (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2021

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Looks like the loophole has been closed -

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384480129577934856

Biosecurity Legislation (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2021

Amazing how quickly they can draft a restriction. I wish they’d put the same effort into delivering the vaccine roll out

 

[Must...Fly!]

Amazing how quickly they can draft a restriction. I wish they’d put the same effort into delivering the vaccine roll out

Was it quick? I think the loophole was identified some time ago...

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Amazing how quickly they can draft a restriction. I wish they’d put the same effort into delivering the vaccine roll out

Was it quick? I think the loophole was identified some time ago...

A stroke of a pen should be quicker than moving thousands of vials lol

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Was it quick? I think the loophole was identified some time ago...

I suspect it might have been. Otherwise they would have announced the restriction and issued a warning in the days leading to the bubble opening.

 

[henrus]

Looks like the loophole has been closed -

I wonder how many have already left?

Also is there another source rather than someone who on twitter says "who is anti-lockdown, anti exit-visa and says end mask mandates"?

So I found the source, the actual update:

Biosecurity Legislation (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2021

Given the reports of people being easily able to get a 3-month exemption, don't know why you wouldn't just go down that path instead. Not surprised they've updated it but realistically they should just reduce the returning caps to something really low and let people leave if they're idiotic enough to do so.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Personally I think this is very draconian - hefty fines and jail time - for departing NZ - really!! Shouldn't it be "do so at your own risk" - you'll go the back of queue for returning Australians seeking quarantine spots. (Not clear there is any sort of queue - it seems those willing and able to pay high airfares get 'priority'). Of course they would then need to make exit from Australia also "do so at your own risk". I find it hard to believe there would be a mass exodus given the hotel quarantine requirement.

Finally - there is talk and speculation about a Singapore bubble - if this happens then Australians could also depart Singapore for other international destinations but unlike NZ they could also return to Singapore (then back to Australia).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wonder how many have already left?

Also is there another source rather than someone who on twitter says "who is anti-lockdown, anti exit-visa and says end mask mandates"?

The source comes directly from the amended Biosecurity Act orders. The link is at the end of the tweet.

 

[Matt_01]

Finally - there is talk and speculation about a Singapore bubble - if this happens then Australians could also depart Singapore for other international destinations but unlike NZ they could also return to Singapore (then back to Australia).

Unless they keep amending the Act inline with other travel bubbles. Good thing AU has a lot of bureaucrats to stay on top of this.

 

[glasszon]

Given the reports of people being easily able to get a 3-month exemption, don't know why you wouldn't just go down that path instead. Not surprised they've updated it but realistically they should just reduce the returning caps to something really low and let people leave if they're idiotic enough to do so.

I have been following the exit exemptions closely as I need to leave Australia later this year. Last year it was easy for people to get an exit exemption under the 3 month category, but now the govt has drastically tightened the requirement so now you need a statutory declaration and even then, many were rejected without reason.

There will be some that are desperate enough to leave that they will go to NZ to fly overseas regardless, would be interesting to see how heavily the judges will punish the "escapees" once they return to Australia.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Yes duty free was open at both departure and arrival.

Only a few shops open airside in MEL international terminal departures. Was very quiet.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Unless they keep amending the Act inline with other travel bubbles. Good thing AU has a lot of bureaucrats to stay on top of this.

They don’t have to amend the act, just the declaration. Much simpler.

They now have the template for NZ, they’d just add other countries in a bubble and re-issue the declaration.

 

[dajop]

They don’t have to amend the act, just the declaration. Much simpler.

They now have the template for NZ, they’d just add other countries in a bubble and re-issue the declaration.

Indeed, for the NZ all they did is add clause (f) under exemptions in the Determination relating to overseas travel ban, as per below. To add an extra country, say Cook Islands, all they would need to do is change it to "is travelling directly to New Zealand or the Cook Islands; and"

(f) person who:
(i) is travelling directly to New Zealand; and
(ii) has been only in Australia for at least 14 days immediately before the day the flight or voyage of the outgoing aircraft or vessel commences.

As an aside there is another requirement in this wording that an Australian resident (and doesn't qualify for another exemption) would not be permitted to return to New Zealand for 14 days after coming back to Australia. Say you were in NZ, returned to Australia on 1st May, and needed to return on the 8th, then you couldn't under this wording. (and this is different to the travel declaration for return to Australia).

 

[Matt_01]

I do not have a legal background, have been bothered to read the act but did take a quick look, I have only read the amendment (determination).

If I was a situation whereby I had family or a home in NZ what rules would be broken if I travelled to NZ, then left NZ say for a week, month or however long for reasons other than "for a compassionate reason or because the individual required urgent medical treatment that was not reasonably available in New Zealand or Australia". If I leave NZ visit family/friends, a holiday or for any other reason and was able to return to NZ, meet any quarantine requirements and stay there for at least 14 days days prior to returning to AU why should the AU government be concerned why I left NZ. My understanding is that to travel travel to or from NZ I just have to been in AU or NZ for 14 days, the requirement has been met.

Also what is a penalty unit.

 

[henrus]

If I was a situation whereby I had family or a home in NZ what rules would be broken if I travelled to NZ, then left NZ say for a week, month or however long for reasons other than "for a compassionate reason or because the individual required urgent medical treatment that was not reasonably available in New Zealand or Australia". If I leave NZ visit family/friends, a holiday or for any other reason and was able to return to NZ

This is fine because AU will never know. However, the only people who can return to NZ are citizens or residents. So unless you hold NZ citizenship or are a resident then you can't enter NZ MIQ.

Australian's who have been living in NZ for 6 months in the past 12 months are considered NZ residents for the purposes of entering NZ MIQ.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is fine because AU will never know. However, the only people who can return to NZ are citizens or residents. So unless you hold NZ citizenship or are a resident then you can't enter NZ MIQ.

Australian's who have been living in NZ for 6 months in the past 12 months are considered NZ residents for the purposes of entering NZ MIQ.

Exactly right.

I suppose if you were an Aussie citizen, had NZ permanent residence (so could get into HQ quarantine) AND held a dual nationality for another country... you might be able to use the loophole and avoid detection