Oblivian:

 

jonb: With the Australian announcement just now, does that mean it is still possible for NZers to get back thru transferring flights at Sydney or Melbourne, i.e. not passing thru customs?

 

I'd like to think so. Then again they have been known to remove prohibited items from baggage of those transiting (despite not touching Australian soil) without question. So who knows!

 

Lounges are *meant* to be considered secure deadzones not in-country. But this may also prompt airlines to cancel flights as of tonight due expecting to turn half their passengers around.

 

Looks like it is ok still - this is about the only route for repatriating to New Zealand with the cancellations of most of the direct to Auckland flights.  Article in the Guardian, and the Sydney Airport status , says transit to NZ still happening, with self isolation at the airport, however that would work.  Daughters uni exchange has been canned, and the planned exchange for next semester as well.so is returning from Edinburgh saturday (with the next semester excahnge cancelled now needed to be back by July for Auckland Uni.  Self isolating with me (therefore me too) from Monday all going to plan.  Flights were $1500 one way, about the same as a normal return price, Emirates EDI - CHC.