Australia Is No Longer Banning Travel To New Zealand

Simple Flying

By Andrew Curran

Published Mar 26, 2021

This picture taken on December 10, 2013 shows a Qantas flight taxiing at Adelaide airport. Emirates president Tim Clark said he is carefully watching developments at alliance partner Qantas, but ruled out throwing a financial lifeline to the embattled Australian flag carrier, in comments reported on December 16, 2013. Earlier this month, Qantas forecast a half-year loss of up to US$269 million and said it would axe 1,000 jobs, leading to a credit downgrade from Standard & Poor's, which cut its rating to "junk" status. Qantas blamed its predicament on record fuel costs and fierce competition from subsidised rivals, particularly Virgin Australia, which is majority owned by state-backed Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Etihad. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Australian Government recently amended its laws to allow its citizens to travel to New Zealand. Potentially that would be a small step towards unwinding further travel restrictions. However, the Australian decision doesn't have much immediate impact as New Zealand isn't yet letting Australians in.

Australia amends its Biosecurity Act

Twelve months ago, Australia was one of the few countries in the world to ban its citizens from leaving the country. There were some exemptions, but most people who needed to travel were neither persuasive nor connected enough to get the green light to go. Since last March, the ban has been renewed every three months, most recently on March 2.

However, on Monday, there was one small relaxation of the rules. The Biosecurity Act 2015 was changed to allow Australian citizens who have been in Australia for at least two weeks to go to New Zealand without having to ask for permission to do so.

The Australian Government is keen to kickstart a travel bubble with New Zealand. Australia has been allowing most New Zealanders to enter and skip quarantine since October. New Zealand hasn't returned the favor.

Australians-Visit-New-Zealand-getty — New Zealand hasn't yet allowed Australians to skip quarantine after arriving in New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images

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New Zealand defers travel bubble decision

Monday's amendment was in anticipation of New Zealand announcing the start of a travel bubble between the two countries. But on the same day, New Zealand deferred an announcement about a travel bubble until April 6.

"Opening up our borders to our nearest neighbor is a priority not only for tourism and business but also in terms of reuniting friends and families," said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday. But the Prime Minister isn't quite there yet. She went on to say;

"It goes without saying that opening up a travel zone with Australia, without quarantine, is highly complex."

From the Prime Minister's point of view, five things need to be nailed down before she gives any travel bubble the go-ahead. First, Ms. Ardern wants a fit and proper response framework in New Zealand for when cases arise in Australia. Second, New Zealand needs to be able to efficiently contact trace travelers from Australia should the need arise. Third, some issues over managing transit travelers have to be resolved. Fourth, the legal framework needs to be in place to allow New Zealand to achieve the first three points. Finally, the Prime Minister wanted assurance the airlines, airports, and agencies are ready.

Auckland Airport ready to manage travel bubble flights

None of these points are insurmountable obstacles. New Zealand's biggest airport, Auckland, has been gearing up to separate quarantine-bound and not quarantine-bound passengers for months.

In a statement, Auckland Airport said it can separate its international terminal into two self-contained zones. One zone is a "health management zone" for arrivals needing to go into managed isolation and quarantine. The second zone is the "safe travel zone" for arrivals from countries with which New Zealand has formed travel bubbles.

“The past six months have been a period of constant adjustment for Auckland Airport," said the airport's Chairman, Patrick Strange, last month.

It is widely anticipated Jacinda Ardern will consent to a travel bubble on April 6. That travel bubble will likely begin before the last weekend of April. Until then, Australia's amendment of its Biosecurity Act makes no real difference to the ability of Australian's trying to travel to New Zealand.