Image by Thierry BEUVE from Pixabay
The Australian Government has advised that one-way quarantine-free travel into Australia from anywhere in New Zealand can recommence from midnight tonight (Sunday night).
A decision by the country’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, applies only to states and territories that are willing to allow this, and is applicable only to travellers that have been in New Zealand for the 14 days prior to departure.
In addition, all travellers must provide proof of a negative pre-departure PCR test within three days of the departure flight to Australia, and provide evidence that they are fully vaccinated with an appropriate vaccine.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, said the resumption of quarantine-free arrivals from New Zealand would be a major boost for tourism and for confidence in Australia.
“In 2019, Australia hosted 1.434-million visitors from New Zealand – making it our second largest source market – and they spent $1.6-billion in the Australian economy supporting local jobs and businesses,” Tehan said.
“Australia delivers what Kiwis want in a holiday – including safety and security, value for money and world-class natural beauty and wildlife.
“Tourism Australia will look to scale up its marketing activities in New Zealand, with an immediate focus on building confidence and broadening knowledge of the depth of Australia’s tourism offering.
“The resumption of quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia is another important marker on our road to recovery and it will encourage more Australians to dust off their passport and plan their next holiday.”
Certainly, travel-starved Aussies seem to be increasingly keen to venture overseas as the country begins relaxing its travel ban on citizens from 1 November.
According to statistics supplied by Tehan, in October the Australian Passport Officer received more than 102,000 passport applications, an average of more than 5,000 every working day.
This is a notable jump compared to 82,000 applications received in September and 53,000 applications in August.
There has also been strong demand for the new International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate, with more than 717,500 certificates generated since it was launched on 19 October.