A two-way travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand opened Monday (Apr 19), allowing passengers to move quarantine-free between both countries for the first time in more than a year. Australia had previously allowed New Zealand travelers to enter without quarantine, and New Zealand is now following suit.
Australian and New Zealand residents can travel freely between the two countries for the first time in more than year, after a travel bubble opened on Monday (Apr 19).
The long-awaited initiative removes the need for visitors to quarantine.
Both countries have contained Covid-19 outbreaks and kept infection rates low, in large part due to hard borders.
Excited passengers crowded Australian airports ahead of reunions with family and friends.
Thousands of people are expected to travel on Monday with some rising before dawn to get ready to board.
Airlines Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand will all fly routes between the two countries.
Australia and New Zealand shut their borders in March last year and brought in compulsory quarantine for returning nationals.
Since October, New Zealand travellers have been allowed to enter most Australian states without quarantine, though this had not been reciprocated amid concerns about sporadic Covid-19 outbreaks.
(Compiled)
