AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Summary
- Trans-Tasman Travel bubble may take a hit due to coronavirus cluster found in Sydney.
- Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania have imposed various levels of travel bans.
- New Zealand is keenly watching the situation and will take a decision in the coming year.
The recent travel bubble arrangement between Australia and New Zealand might not materialise due to recently found coronavirus clusters in Sydney.
In view of recent surge in the coronavirus cases in Sydney’s northern beaches and a new strain of virus found in the UK, trans-Tasman travel bubble has come under a shadow of doubt.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Travel Ban by Australian States
Within Australia itself, West Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have imposed requisite bans.
Queensland has said that it will now require the arrivals to have a coronavirus test done and have a border pass.
In Tasmania, anyone travelling back from Sydney is banned and the rest of the arrivals need a 14-day quarantine.
Western Australia is banning travel from New South Wales and is reimposing its hard border. Mark McGowan, Premier, Western Australia said he is sorry to take strict measures just before Christmas, but the risk of COVID-19 infection spread is very high.
New Zealand to wait and watch
However, the New Zealand government says it is watching the situation in New South Wales and that it is too early to say anything.
Last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had said that a travel bubble with Australia will open in the first few months of 2021.
She also said that the NZ cabinet had agreed to have quarantine free travel between New Zealand and Australia.
Even the travel industry was very excited and had had started preparing themselves for the quarantine-free travel bubble after a bleak 2020.
In fact, they had lobbied with the government to get the travel bubble going.
A government spokesperson has now said that whether to proceed ahead with the travel bubble is a decision that can be taken in the new year. He said that the government was monitoring the situation closely in Sydney but would not like to say anything based on the current situation.
