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The joy of reunion is enormous: since the beginning of the corona pandemic over a year ago, quarantine-free trips between New Zealand and Australia have been possible for the first time.
“Oh, it's wonderful, I'm speechless. I'm just grateful that I could come back. I'm shaking totally right now. "
While New Zealanders have been able to travel to Australia without quarantine since October, they have had to be in isolation for two weeks on their return journey to New Zealand.
Many families and friends have not seen each other for more than a year and were finally able to hug each other again:
“She's my stepdaughter, she's only 12 and her father doesn't even have a clue that she's here. We surprise him. "
“He's been gone since November 2019 and both of his parents have died in the meantime. We haven't seen him in a long time, so we're very excited. "
Australia and New Zealand closed their borders in March 2020.
Apart from a few exceptions, only its own citizens and people with permanent residence were allowed into the country.
That was part of the strict no-covid strategy of both countries, with which they have come through the pandemic well to date.
The bilateral travel agreement is now intended to bring thousands of families and friends back together, but also to stimulate the economy.
According to the Australian premiere, Scott Morrison, further openings should be made "cautiously and carefully".