SYDNEY: Australia reopened its “travel bubble” with New Zealand on Jan 31, after the neighboring nation reported no new domestically acquired COVID-19 cases, however, added new screening measures because it marked its longest infection-free run since the outbreak started.
The decision marks the resumption of the only abroad arrivals into Australia who don’t require 14 days in hotel quarantine.
Australia had paused quarantine exemptions for trans-Tasman arrivals six days earlier after New Zealand reported its first new case in months.
Arrivals from New Zealand “are now judged to be a sufficiently low risk, given New Zealand’s strong public health response to COVID-19”, acting Australian Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd informed reporters.
However, Australia would require screening of travelers from New Zealand before and after flights for the next 10 days, Kidd added, “given there is still a small risk of further related cases being detected and with an abundance of caution”.
Australia, which has closed its borders to all nations, however, New Zealand since March 2020, is now planning a vaccination program beginning late February.
On Sunday, Health Minister Greg Hunt stated the government would invite the nation’s roughly 5,800 community pharmacies this week to use for a federally-funded program to pay them to administer inoculations, together with doctors and hospital health workers.
“That means extra points of presence for Australians in terms of where they can receive their COVID-19 vaccine,” Hunt stated.
“That is potentially life-saving medication. The medicines can work with differing degrees of effectiveness, however all up, this can enhance lives, extend lives, or save lives.”
The government plans to start vaccinating priority groups like older and indigenous Australians with a shot developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE from late February.
