Coronavirus: Sydney opens up to New Zealand travellers; Thailand seeks travel bubble with China

Quarantine restrictions were lifted on travellers from New Zealand, but not the other way; while Vietnam’s Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled

Thailand is in talks with China to establish a quarantine-free travel corridor by January, while a South Korean hospital unveils an upgraded testing booth

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A woman is greeted by a friend as she arrives from New Zealand after the Trans-Tasman travel bubble opened overnight, following an extended border closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:00pm, 16 Oct 2020Updated: 11:04pm, 16 Oct 2020

Australia’s largest city Sydney lifted coronavirus quarantine restrictions on travellers from New Zealand on Friday while the second largest city, Melbourne, marked the 100th day of one of the world’s longest pandemic lockdowns.

More than 350 passengers were expected to take three flights from Auckland on Friday and will not have to undergo hotel quarantine on arrival in Sydney.

“This is great news for tourism. It’s also great news for family reunification and grateful businesses,” said New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

New Zealand will continue to insist that travellers from Australia quarantine in hotels for 14 days on arrival.

The Victoria state government has resisted pressure from businesses and the federal government to relax a second lockdown that began when stay-at-home orders took effect in Melbourne on July 9.

Victoria recorded only two new Covid-19 cases in the latest 24-hour period. The state last recorded such a low number on June 8, with daily tallies peaking at 725 on August 5.