One-way Australia travel bubble cleared for takeoff again today

THE one-way trans-Tasman travel bubble is back in business from today, but anyone who has been in Auckland will need to have a recent negative test.

The resumption of quarantinefree flights from 12.01am Sunday Australian eastern time was announced by the country’s chief medical officer, Professor Paul Kelly, last night. They were suspended after several new community cases in Auckland.

‘‘All passengers travelling from New Zealand on a green zone flight, who have been in

Auckland for any period (with exception of the airport for travel) over the last 14 days, will be required to provide evidence at check-in of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled flight departure,’’ the statement said.

‘‘Routine pre-departure and on arrival screening will continue.’’

Kelly said the situation in New Zealand showed the recent cases there posed a low risk of the virus spreading in Australia.

‘‘The [Australian Health Protection Principal Committee] monitors the situation in many locations and will continue to advise on a range of decisions in the interest of the health of all Australians,’’ Kelly said.

The committee received a briefing from Kiwi health officials yesterday, the statement said.

The conditions will apply until midnight on March 1, Australian eastern time.

Anyone intending to fly domestically was asked to check restrictions in the state of their final destination.

Victoria’s snap lockdown ended on Wednesday night, about the same time as Auckland went from level3 to level 2.