New Zealand to open borders with Australia next year

ANKARA (AA) - New Zealand on Monday announced that the country's Cabinet has agreed to open borders with Australia early next year, according to state-run media.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has agreed in principle to establish a travel bubble with Australia early next year, Radio New Zealand reported.

"A travel bubble with Australia can be expected in the first quarter of 2021 pending confirmation from the Australian Cabinet and no significant change in the circumstances in either country," the report quoted Ardern as saying.

A date on a trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel bubble will be announced in the new year, she added.

However, Ardern said clear plans will need to be made in the event of a community outbreak with enough space for potential returnees if borders shut again.

Meanwhile, Australia welcomed the announcement, describing it as the "second half of the equation". The Australian government welcomed New Zealand's announcement and the federal government would "absolutely" approve the agreement, said Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt.

"We consciously opened up Australia to people coming from NZ because their case numbers were negligible and we knew there would come a time when our case numbers would give them confidence," the radio quoted Hunt as saying. It is the first step on a return to international normality, he added.

In October, Australia opened its borders and allowed quarantine-free travel from New Zealand following eased restrictions against the novel coronavirus.

Currently, all states have opened borders and quarantine-free travel for New Zealanders, except Western Australia which still requires 14 days' quarantine on arrival.

So far, Australia reported 28,037 cases with 908 deaths, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University. New Zealand recorded 2,096 cases and 25 deaths so far.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid