Quarantinefree flights from SI to Aust back

AUCKLAND: Australia has approved quarantinefree travel from the South Island, beginning early Wednesday.

Australia's chief medical officer, Prof Paul Kelly, said that from 11.59pm (AEST) tomorrow (2.59am Wednesday NZT), all fully vaccinated people living in the South Island could travel to Australia if they provided a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

Travellers would also have to declare they have not been in the North Island for any period of time over the last 14 days.

Prof Kelly said New South Wales and Victoria had agreed to allow trips to restart from midnight tomorrow given there had not been a Covid19 case in the South Island since last year.

‘‘There is very good work being done to stop people from the North Island going to the South Island, so that is not a risk,’’ Prof Kelly said in Canberra yesterday.

‘‘We hope to allow anyone who has been in the South Island of New Zealand whether Australian, New Zealanders or other nationalities, as long as they have been there for 14 days, to come in quarantine free.

‘‘I understand there are some Australians that have been stuck in the South Island of New Zealand for some time,’’ Prof Kelly said.

Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty says the loosening of restrictions will be welcomed by many.

‘‘This is great news for all of the visitors to New Zealand who have been unable to travel home since the bubble closed in August. The airline is seeking clarification from the Australian Government on how this will work and will have more to share in the coming days.’’

Prof Kelly says the pause on travel from anywhere except the South Island will continue until 11.59pm (AEST) on October 31 as Delta spreads outside Auckland.

All flights from the North Island will be classed redzone, meaning passengers must isolate for 14 days upon their arrival. —