Trans-Tasman bubble (Quarantine-Free Travel)

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#2687750 7-Apr-2021 11:32

gmball:

Yes but now we have an app which hardly anyone uses? I think the purpose of the Covid card was it took the responsibility away from needing to scan. Simply just needed to carry the card. I guess for some, carrying the card would have been too difficult too.

In my regular supermarket visit, I'd say maybe 1 in 10 are scanning? Gym, no one scans. Food outlets, very rarely see anyone scan.

Unless government make it a requirement to scan, I can't see behaviours changing. I guess the question being how would they enforce it?

While not everyone is rigorous with scanning in, there are 1.2 million App users that have turned on bluetooth tracing

... that's a pretty big number so just because you aren't scanning doesn't mean you are not making it easier for tracers...

boosacnoodle

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#2687828 7-Apr-2021 12:08

sbiddle:

Our vaccine rollout is a 12 month program. Even the PM has said that numerous times.

Initial vaccines in Feb 2021, with everybody who wants to be vaccinated being able to get at least their 1st dose by the end of the year, and then mopping up the remaining 2nd doses and vaccine hesitant people into early 2022.

[..]

That's not even considering that you cant have the flu shot and the Covid one within a certain period which is going to delay things even further.

Batman

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#2687829 7-Apr-2021 12:08

Geektastic:

Why would it take a year to vaccinate the majority? NZ has a pretty small population.

why is half of chch still in ruins? it's been a decade since the earthquake

kobiak

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#2687838 7-Apr-2021 12:17

networkn:

I have to say I feel even more irritated with tourism operators in Queenstown. Finding it increasingly difficult to sympathise any more.

Were planning a Ski trip with the kids in August, no sooner than the travel bubble dates arrive than prices for accommodation in QT spiked by 40%.

For years tourism operators gouged NZ'rs wanting to travel within NZ, COVID came, prices didn't drop much but so much complaining, begging for sympathy etc, bubble opens up, prices spike.

Why would I holiday in Australia over NZ? It's cheaper, for a start and I don't get treated like a second class citizen in Australia. Not that I'll be going any time soon.

I wonder if NZ is ready for discrimination based on citizenship for the tourism industry, like at some holidays destination around the world, there're 2 fare types: local vs anyone else...

I guess not, we are all rich buggers here and have to suck the "fair" fare up, right? :)

helping others at evgenyk.nz

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#2687841 7-Apr-2021 12:26

Here's a question:

I'm a Permanent Resident. Not a Citizen. Been that way since 1974. Never really needed to be a Citizen - was just an expense I didn't need.

If I travelled to AU next week and then there was a lockdown and I was stuck there, would I get the same assistance that a citizen would? I don't know that I would, would I?

I'm thinking back to the people stuck in Sth America last year and the like...pretty sure it was only citizens that got help.

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#2687842 7-Apr-2021 12:28

kobiak:

I wonder if NZ is ready for discrimination based on citizenship for the tourism industry, like at some holidays destination around the world, there're 2 fare types: local vs anyone else...

I guess not, we are all rich buggers here and have to suck the "fair" fare up, right? :)

A lot of countries have a 'local' discount available to residents and citizens, I don't have an issue with us doing the same thing.

The frustrating thing from my perspective is that almost every business has been negatively impacted by Covid. There seems to be some QT operators who feel they shouldn't share the pain and want to return to the good old days.

Now, I am not saying every business falls into that category, but there seems to be a fair bit of entitled attitude coming from some regions. Wasn't present in other areas like Rotorua when we went recently.

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#2687846 7-Apr-2021 12:33

Handsomedan:
Here's a question:

I'm a Permanent Resident. Not a Citizen. Been that way since 1974. Never really needed to be a Citizen - was just an expense I didn't need.

If I travelled to AU next week and then there was a lockdown and I was stuck there, would I get the same assistance that a citizen would? I don't know that I would, would I?

I'm thinking back to the people stuck in Sth America last year and the like...pretty sure it was only citizens that got help.

I think you've answered your own question

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#2687848 7-Apr-2021 12:36

freitasm:
Got through Air New Zealand after 50 minutes on hold... Busy.

Maybe they're trying to do the travel hack

https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300270806/transtasman-travel-bubble-how-to-skip-the-queue-and-fly-this-weekend-for-250

sbiddle

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#2687856 7-Apr-2021 13:02

Batman:
freitasm:
Got through Air New Zealand after 50 minutes on hold... Busy.

Maybe they're trying to do the travel hack

https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300270806/transtasman-travel-bubble-how-to-skip-the-queue-and-fly-this-weekend-for-250

I don't know what part of it is a hack or how it's even news! There have been no restrictions on flying to Australia since last October - it's only NZ who weren't allowing you back.

I know multiple people who in recent weeks had booked flights to Aussie for this coming weekend to spend a week over there and catch the first green flight back. There have been no restrictions around booking these flights.

chatterbox

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#2687893 7-Apr-2021 14:54

Handsomedan:

Here's a question:

I'm a Permanent Resident. Not a Citizen. Been that way since 1974. Never really needed to be a Citizen - was just an expense I didn't need.

If I travelled to AU next week and then there was a lockdown and I was stuck there, would I get the same assistance that a citizen would? I don't know that I would, would I?

I'm thinking back to the people stuck in Sth America last year and the like...pretty sure it was only citizens that got help.

Yes you would.

You probably wouldn't get the payout to isolate for 14 days though but that's only an issue if you're a close contact. You'll otherwise have access to free covid testing. Some testing sites require GP referrals but plenty don't. You can call the covid hotlines for each state and they can refer you to other services if necessary. You can ask them for advice on current rules also. There are some volunteer groups like red cross that offer assistance as well. If you are unable to isolate in suitable accommodation I believe they'll place you in suitable accommodation also. This did occur in Melbourne at least. They want people to do the right thing. They know too well what happens when they don't support people to do the right thing.

Handsomedan

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#2687896 7-Apr-2021 15:10

chatterbox:

Handsomedan:

Here's a question:

I'm a Permanent Resident. Not a Citizen. Been that way since 1974. Never really needed to be a Citizen - was just an expense I didn't need.

If I travelled to AU next week and then there was a lockdown and I was stuck there, would I get the same assistance that a citizen would? I don't know that I would, would I?

I'm thinking back to the people stuck in Sth America last year and the like...pretty sure it was only citizens that got help.

Yes you would.

You probably wouldn't get the payout to isolate for 14 days though but that's only an issue if you're a close contact. You'll otherwise have access to free covid testing. Some testing sites require GP referrals but plenty don't. You can call the covid hotlines for each state and they can refer you to other services if necessary. You can ask them for advice on current rules also. There are some volunteer groups like red cross that offer assistance as well. If you are unable to isolate in suitable accommodation I believe they'll place you in suitable accommodation also. This did occur in Melbourne at least. They want people to do the right thing. They know too well what happens when they don't support people to do the right thing.

Good info. Thanks

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#2687906 7-Apr-2021 15:40

Kind of related - if someone (for example) wants to travel here from a non-bubble country (let's pretend it's Canada) to visit a friend or relative, is that totally un-doable at the moment?
Or is it a case of they can come in if they pay for the MIQ, have had the vaccine and are coronavirus-free?

Or is it more like, nope, NZ's borders are totally closed, don't even bother booking your tickets?
A relative from there (as well as one in the US) wants to visit me here but I don't think the information online is particularly explicit or clear as to what's required.

Also are there different rules if they are family (related) or just a friend (non-related), or is it all the same?

Handle9

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#2687914 7-Apr-2021 15:49

quickymart:
Kind of related - if someone (for example) wants to travel here from a non-bubble country (let's pretend it's Canada) to visit a friend or relative, is that totally un-doable at the moment?
Or is it a case of they can come in if they pay for the MIQ, have had the vaccine and are coronavirus-free?

Or is it more like, nope, NZ's borders are totally closed, don't even bother booking your tickets?
A relative from there (as well as one in the US) wants to visit me here but I don't think the information online is particularly explicit or clear as to what's required.

Also are there different rules if they are family (related) or just a friend (non-related), or is it all the same?

The rules are very clear. NZ citizens, PRs or those with specific visas can visit. The rest need not apply.

wellygary

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#2687916 7-Apr-2021 15:56

quickymart:

Kind of related - if someone (for example) wants to travel here from a non-bubble country (let's pretend it's Canada) to visit a friend or relative, is that totally un-doable at the moment?
Or is it a case of they can come in if they pay for the MIQ, have had the vaccine and are coronavirus-free?

Or is it more like, nope, NZ's borders are totally closed, don't even bother booking your tickets?
A relative from there (as well as one in the US) wants to visit me here but I don't think the information online is particularly explicit or clear as to what's required.

Also are there different rules if they are family (related) or just a friend (non-related), or is it all the same?

Visiting a friend in NZ for a non-citizen/resident is not possible....

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions/entry-to-new-zealand/border-entry-requirements

Geektastic

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#2687924 7-Apr-2021 16:19

chatterbox:

Geektastic: I don’t think we should have done any quarantine free travel until vaccination is complete, personally.

It would not have added that long to the wait considering the risk.

There's no way I would put my own personal "peace of mind" being vaccinated above quarantining people from Australia in MIQ for 2 weeks that can't get out early to see their dying relatives or even reunite with family they haven't seen for a whole year. It would feel inhumane and somewhat selfish to do so.

It's still an issue for travellers from further abroad but with Australia being so low risk there truly is no justification for placing them in MIQ and there hasn't been for some time.

Good for you. I certainly would put my peace of mind ahead of those people. I have seen none of my family since 2018.

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