Highlights
- Trans-Tasman bubble set up between New Zealand and NSW/NT
- Travel arrangements kick off on October 16
- 325 quarantine spaces to be freed up in Sydney for Australians stuck overseas
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Friday announced quarantine-free travel for New Zealanders will begin from midnight on Friday, October 16.
New Zealanders will be allowed to fly into NSW and the Northern Territory in two weeks.
The announcement has thrown up an unexpected positive outcome for Australians stuck overseas.
“The establishment of quarantine-free travel to Australia from New Zealand will free up space, and this is a really important point, for around, an additional 325 passengers a week to enter quarantine in Sydney.
“So, by freeing up those 325 places, that means that more Australians from more destinations overseas can indeed then fill that 325 vacancies. So this trans-Tasman bubble means there are going to be more places open for more Australians to come home from abroad.
“Importantly, safe travel of New Zealanders to Australia will enable space in quarantine system to be freed up for Australians returning from other countries,” Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said in the press conference.
The Deputy Prime Minister said an additional 250 more places would be available if Queensland agreed to this trans-Tasman deal.
Australians and permanent residents stuck abroad have welcomed the announcement but say the government needs to do more.
Pradeep Singh, an Australian stuck in India since seven months said this was great news.
“This is great news because not having enough quarantine places was the excuse from the Australian government to not allow more people to return home. Hopefully, they will now allow flights with more passengers to land at Australian ports,” he told SBS Hindi.
While Mr Singh hopes for a positive outcome, Fiona Wright, who has struggled to return to Australia from India since March, says the government needs to do more to bring Australians back.
“They need to increase the number of passengers on flights too. The big issue is that the government only allows a few people per flight. There are not enough seats so airlines choose to sell first-class tickets instead of economy tickets.
“Until the government allows more passengers per flight, there will be little real change for those trying to get [economy] tickets to return to Australia.
“They need to get at least 100 passengers per flight, then economy flights will be available and there will be a clearing of the backlog,” Ms Wright said.
There are some 26,800 Australians who have told the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade they want to fly home, with around 4,000 of these people considered in a vulnerable position.
Australia's international borders remain closed with only Australians, permanent residents and those with special exemption permitted to enter Australia.
However, with a cap of 6000 international arrivals per week and alleged price-gouging by airlines, many Australians have found it difficult to return.
India’s national carrier Air India has announced six repatriation flights to and fro to Australia in October.
These special evacuation flights will operate between October 7 and 16, Air India has announced.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
