New Zealand has restarted travel from Australia, however, passengers must now fork out $150 for a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
The bubble is currently open to the ACT, SA, Tasmania and Victoria, but travellers will need to return a negative result within 72 hours of their departing flight. Vaccinated travellers are also required to take a test.
Free community testing stations won’t cut it; you must visit a private pathology clinic to receive your clearance. The tests cost about $150 (extra for same-day turnaround) and do not qualify for a Medicare rebate.
The NZ government’s website Unite Against COVID-19 states: “The Government has been monitoring overseas development and is concerned about high rates of infection and new variants of the virus and their potential to spread more rapidly. Pre-departure tests reduce the risk of infected travellers on international flights infecting other travellers.”
Explore more: covid19.govt.nz
