New Zealand has finally agreed to share a travel bubble with Australia that will allow the travellers from Australia to visit the country without self-isolation.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister said that the trips under the agreement could begin early next year depending on the COVID-19 situation in both countries.
Australia has allowed the travellers from New Zealand to enter most of its states without quarantine since October.
But, they have to manage 14 days of self-isolation on their return to New Zealand, keeping the arrangement only one-way. No Australians are allowed in New Zealand at all unless they have got an exemption.
The New Zealand Prime Minister did not specify the date on which the travel bubble will begin and the agreement is still needed to be signed off by the Australian government.
There have been regional outbreaks of coronavirus cases in Australia. But overall, both the countries have had very low case numbers since a few months.
In June, New Zealand was the first country to declare itself coronavirus free after one strict lockdown and border closure. Since then, it has had a few cases.
New Zealand has also created a travel bubble with Cook Islands.