Pause unquarantine travel bubble in Victoria, New Zealand, Australia

New Zealand has temporarily suspended its travel bubble with Victoria, Australia, but the cause of the new Melbourne incident over the past two days is being investigated.

The travel ban begins Tuesday at 8 pm (6 pm on AEST) and lasts for at least 72 hours.

“The incident announced today as a contact for the incident announced yesterday is not unexpected, but New Zealand officials say the most cautious option is to suspend the travel bubble with Victoria, as there are still some unknowns outbreaks. I evaluated it as a matter of fact. ”NZ COVID-19 Minister of Response Chris Hypkins said In the statement.

Mr Hypkins said the government understands that passengers considering traveling during the ban will be confused. But they thought it was the right call given the situation.

All of the latest COVID-19 cases are related to Whittlesea City, with 11 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. Victorian health officials say they believe more cases may occur in the future.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit New Zealand on May 30 to meet with Jacinda Ardern in Queenstown. They will be accompanied by a partner.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (left) and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) will speak to the media at a press conference held at the Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia, on February 28, 2020. (James D. Morgan / Getty Images)

This is Morrison’s first overseas trip of the year and his first trip to New Zealand in over a year. The two leaders last met in Sydney in late February, when the first COVID-19 case was detected in New Zealand.

Ardern said the visit would be a good opportunity to celebrate the resumption of a two-way free quarantine trip with “Trans-Tasman’s cousin.”

“We look forward to Prime Minister Morrison returning to New Zealand after a difficult year for both countries due to the pandemic.” Ardern said.. “The relationship with Australia was our closest and most important, and this was not as obvious to the world as in these times of trials.”

“The discussion will focus on how Australia and New Zealand will address the common challenges we face. Of course, the main focus of the conference will be the recovery of COVID-19 and regional and security. How do you continue to work with important issues? “