The number of locally acquired cases of COVID-19 with the Delta variant of concern continue to be detected in New Zealand. Since the last review of the situation on 5 October 2021, there has been a further spread of locally acquired cases on the North Island and outside of the Auckland region.
Considering this, the Australian Government yesterday decided to continue the pause of green zone flights from New Zealand until 11:59 pm (AEST) on 19 October 2021, with all flights being classified as red zone flights until this time.
The Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) will continue to monitor the situation in New Zealand and provide revised guidance as further information becomes available. A further review of the travel arrangements will be undertaken on Tuesday 19 October 2021.
All passengers on flights originating from New Zealand up until 11.59 pm (AEST) on 19 October 2021 will need to go into 14 days of supervised hotel quarantine on arrival in Australia and adhere to the requirements of the state and territory in which they enter.
As New Zealand authorities continue to address and contain this outbreak, further time is required to monitor the number and spread of new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. This information will help to determine potential risk from people travelling quarantine-free from New Zealand to Australia with the view that green zone travel from New Zealand to Australia is enabled as soon as it is safe to do so.
