SUPPLIED
Green zone flights from New Zealand to Australia are back on from Sunday,.
The one-way trans-Tasman travel bubble is back in business from Sunday, but anyone who has been in Auckland will need to have a recent negative test.
The resumption of quarantine-free flights from 12.01am Sunday Australian eastern time was announced by the country’s chief medical officer, Professor Paul Kelly, on Saturday evening.
They were suspended following the emergence of several new community Covid-19 cases in Auckland.
“All passengers travelling from New Zealand on a green zone flight, who have been in Auckland for any period (with exception of the airport for travel) over the last 14-days, will be required to provide evidence at check-in of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled flight departure,” the statement said. “Routine pre-departure and on arrival screening will continue.”
READ MORE:
* Covid-19: Flight cancellations continue despite drop in alert levels
* Australia extends travel bubble suspension, despite drop in NZ alert levels
* Covid-19: No new quarantine-free flights to Australia until two-way bubble inflates
DOMINIC LORRIMER/Sydney Morning Herald
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, earlier announced a 72-hour suspension of the New Zealand travel bubble.
Kelly said the situation in New Zealand showed the recent cases identified there posed a low risk of the virus spreading in Australia.
“The [Australian Health Protection Principal Committee] AHPPC monitors the situation in many locations and will continue to advise on a range of decisions in the interest of the health of all Australians,” Kelly said.
“These decisions are not easy and we do not take them lightly – and all AHPPC members appreciate the ongoing patience and flexibility of Australians and New Zealanders, including those in the tourism and travel industry.”
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Flight NZ941 departed at 7.43am local time from the Cook Islands and landed in Auckland at 11.06am.
The committee met on Saturday and received a briefing from Kiwi health officials, the statement said.
The conditions will apply until midnight on March 1, Australian eastern time.
Anyone intending to fly domestically was asked to check restrictions in the state of their final destination.
Victoria’s snap lockdown ended on Wednesday night, around the same time as Auckland went from level three to two.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been approached for comment.