Australia has put a stop to quarantine-free travel for people arriving from New Zealand after three COVID-19 cases were recorded in Auckland.
In an urgent meeting on Sunday night, Australia’s medical experts declared New Zealand a red zone for an initial period of three days, starting Monday.
“All people arriving on such flights originating within this three-day period will need to go into 14 days of supervised hotel quarantine,” a statement on the Department of Health website said.
The move pops the trans-Tasman travel bubble that let people fly between Australia and New Zealand without having to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine.
The snap meeting was between Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly and the chief health officers of Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
The states will work to identify those who have recently arrived in Australia from New Zealand and assess their risk of transmitting coronavirus, the Department of Health said.
Auckland woke up on Monday to a three-day level three lockdown ordered by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after three new community cases.
After learning of three new community cases in Auckland, the prime minister and her cabinet met on Sunday afternoon to slap the restrictions on New Zealand’s biggest city.
Those cases – from one Auckland family – mean 1.6 million Kiwis will return to lockdown until midnight on Wednesday as part of alert level three restrictions.
The lockdown is the second time Auckland has undergone the emergency measures since a more stringent 51-day nationwide lockdown last year which resulted in New Zealand eliminating the virus.
The rest of New Zealand has been placed at alert level two, which mandates social distancing, caps on gathering and increases mask wearing.
It is not yet clear whether the lockdown will extend beyond midnight on Wednesday.
Of the three new cases, the mother looms as a likely index case, given she works at a catering company which services planes at Auckland airport.
The father is self-employed in the building industry, and the daughter is a student at Papatoetoe High School, a school with 1400 students in the south of Auckland.
The school will host a testing centre and be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Health authorities are yet to gain a full picture of the virus’s spread, with the infected family not fulfilling personal contact tracing as the government would like.
New Zealanders are being asked to download a ‘COVID Tracer’ app and scan QR codes to record movement and who they pass by.
“It’s a good timely reminder to everyone. Please turn on the Bluetooth function and keep scanning,” Ms Ardern said.
Rapid test results from the family’s close contacts are likely to filter through on Monday, giving an early indication of the spread.
Ms Ardern is asking for patience, calmness and for “New Zealanders to continue to be strong and be kind”
“Remember, we have been here before. That means we know how to get out of this: together.
“If you know someone in Auckland, give them a call.
“If you are in Auckland, please make sure that your neighbours and ensure they are looked after and supported. And do tell them, it is going to be ok.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
