While the trans-Tasman bubble begins to open up again, the New South Wales bubble will remain closed for the "foreseeable future" and Queensland will be reviewed later this week. The requirement for travellers flying from Australia to New Zealand to get a Covid-19 pre-departure test, costing up to A$220 (NZ$235), will put some people off trans-Tasman travel, industry experts say. Last week, the Government added pre-departure testing as a condition of quarantine-free travel from Australia, in response to Covid-19 outbreaks there. Pre-departure testing was one of many tools the Government had to address the risks of Covid-19 to New Zealand, he said. Independent economist Benje Patterson said pre-departure testing would be “prohibitive” for people on weekend getaways, but shouldn't get in the way of people taking longer holidays.

Source: Stuff July 06, 2021 02:48 UTC