All you need to know about Cook Islands bubble
Quarantine-free travel to the Cook Islands commenced yesterday, almost four months after the first green zone flights from the islands landed in New Zealand.
Operating similarly to the transTasman travel bubble, the arrangement allows for free movement between the two countries without the need for managed isolation and quarantine on either end.
The arrangement was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the beginning of the month. She said the green travel zone would allow for family reunions and would boost the tourism industry in the Cooks.
For those eager to head to the islands, here is everything you need to know.
Who can travel to the Cook Islands?
People who have been in New Zealand for a full 14 days prior to departing for the Cook Islands are eligible to travel quarantine-free.
Travellers must not have tested positive for Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to departure or be awaiting results. If they have tested positive, written advice from a health practitioner confirming they are no longer infectious must be presented.
Normal immigration rules apply. Travellers are allowed to stay for up to 31 days and must have evidence of a return ticket.
Temporary visa holders in New Zealand can travel to the Cooks so long as they meet all immigration requirements and can return to New Zealand.
How many flights are operating?
The first Air NZ flight from Auckland to Rarotonga was scheduled to take off at 8.55am today.
For now, the airline is operating two to three flights a week. From July, it is planning to scale that up to daily flights. Fares vary in price from $270 to $620 one-way.
Do I need a pre-departure test?
No.
What will happen at the airport?
All of New Zealand’s international airports have separate areas for green zone and red zone travellers.
Travellers must complete travel declarations prior to departure.
There will also be random health checks. Face coverings are to be worn for the duration of the flight.
What happens if there is a Covid-19 case?
This is where the Cook Islands bubble differs from the Australian arrangement.
The Cooks have not reported any Covid-19 cases throughout the pandemic, so if a case does emerge, it will have come from New Zealand.
There are three phases of the bubble: Continue, pause and suspend. In the ‘‘continue’’ phase, quarantine-free travel operates as planned as there is a low risk of transmission. If cases emerge with an unknown source but a likely link to the border, short-term lockdowns may be imposed in affected areas, and flights to and from the Cooks will be paused. Travellers may be asked to get a pre-departure test, to self-isolate, or even go into managed isolation on arrival.
From here, the situation may quickly escalate to the next phase, suspension. Flights will be suspended if there is a confirmed case with an unknown source, prompting a nationwide lockdown in either country.
Flights will be stopped for an extended period but people needing to return to New Zealand or the Cook Islands will be managed to minimise the risk of spread. Again, travellers may be asked to get a pre-departure test, to self-isolate or to enter into managed isolation.
Will I be stranded if cases emerge?
Unlike the Australian arrangement, travellers flying out of New Zealand with the bubble won’t be stranded.
Ardern previously explained Kiwis in the Cooks won’t have to shelter in place, as they would in Australia, rather they would be helped home. ‘‘We view this as necessary to reduce pressure on the Cook Islands and minimise further spread of the virus.’’
Which contact tracing app should I use?
It is recommended people download both the CookSafe+ and NZ Covid Tracer app to keep track of movements on either side. The apps both have Bluetooth capabilities and work in similar ways, however, only one app can have tracing on at a time. The apps work together to share information.