While spring turns into summer in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand are looking at cautiously opening to tourism between them. But New Zealand, which has COVID-19 infection not only under control but all but eliminated, is standing firm on its standards for quarantine-free travel.
On October 2, 2020, Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack announced that three territories would allow New Zealanders to visit without quarantine requirements beginning in mid-October. Those territories are New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory. But New Zealand is not jumping to reciprocate.
First among their requirements is a solid four-week period without a case off community transmission New South Wales reported a locally transmitted case in late September, making October 23 the first day they would be eligible.
“That’s key for us,” said Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, in a statement on Saturday, October 3. “One of our criteria is 28 days clear.”
Most Australian territories haven’t reopened their own borders with each other yet, due to similar restrictions. The country’s numbers are low, but not yet zero, which is their ultimate goal. Most recent outbreaks are being traced to violations of the community gathering and traveling restrictions, such as an outbreak at a nightclub in Melbourne and another in Australia’s largest shopping center. Videos of large, crowded beach parties in Melbourne have attracted national outrage, with thousands of Australians sick of lockdown calling the partiers “selfish” for jeopardizing community progress.
“Don’t risk everything,” tweeted Victoria’s Chief Health Officer on a video of those parties. “What we can hold back now means a truly normal summer. Please – Hold. The. Line.”
Police have been ramping up enforcement of crowd restrictions since those videos came out.
At this stage, it looks like Australians will still be, and should still be, spending their Christmas vacation close to home.
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