For the first time since the pandemic began, people in New Zealand and Australia will be able to travel between the two countries again from April 19. Quarantine is not required.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the move today as „the beginning of a new chapter“. It was very difficult for many people not to be able to see their friends and families in Australia for a year.
Both states closed their borders to travelers in March 2020. Apart from a few exceptions, only its own citizens or people with residence were allowed into the country.
Successful crisis management
The island state of New Zealand is considered a model country in crisis because of its extremely strict measures and precise contact tracking. In the country with 4.8 million inhabitants, around 2,500 cases have been recorded so far, 26 people have died in connection with Covid-19. For a long time it has been largely normal again.
Australia is also very successful in dealing with the pandemic. Authorities have so far confirmed around 29,000 cases and 909 fatalities in a population of more than 25 million people.
