The New Zealand government has announced a plan to allow stranded Kiwis to return home from NSW and Queensland.
It has released details of “return green flights” from the two states, beginning on Saturday, which NZ has suspended from the trans-Tasman bubble due to new COVID-19 cases.
The commercially operated flights are for people ordinarily resident in New Zealand, including citizens of Australia and permanent residents – as well as the spouses and children of eligible travellers.
To fly, they must not have COVID-19 symptoms, must return a negative test within 72 hours of departure, and confirm travel movements over the last 14 days.
Anyone who has visited a location of interest in the last fortnight will not be able to travel.
The flight arrangements are similar to those offered to Kiwis who were stranded in Victoria by Melbourne’s most recent outbreak.
New Zealand has partially closed the trans-Tasman bubble several times since it was opened in April.
It is currently allowing visitors from Victoria, Tasmania, SA and ACT to travel without the need to quarantine.
Western Australia and the Northern Territory will be welcomed back into the bubble on Saturday, while an assessment of Queensland’s readiness will be made on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned it may be some time before NSW is welcomed back into the bubble due to mounting cases in the Bondi-originating cluster.
AAP
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