NZ and Cook Islands announce quarantine-free travel bubble

New Zealand and the Cook Islands have agreed to open a quarantine-free travel bubble by end of March next year.

In a joint statement this morning the Prime Ministers of the two countries, Jacinda Ardern and Mark Brown, said officials are working together to safely arrange two-way travel in the first quarter of next year.

The Cook Islands are COVID free.

Ardern says the priority is and will remain keeping both countries safe from COVID-19.

Before a two-way travel opens up, New Zealand will open up one-way quarantine-free travel from the Cook Islands as a first step for people who need to access essential services.

Arden says the arrangement recognises the special ties between New Zealand and the Cook Islands and it will allow people to travel more easily between the two countries, while acknowledging that the priority remains to protect their populations from COVID-19.

Air New Zealand said its teams are busy preparing to start two-way travel between here and the Cooks and is working closely with the government and airports on requirements.

[Source: Radio NZ]