Sydney, Australia: Confusion around the New Zealand travel bubble with the Australian states of New South Wales and Northern Territory is mounting after reports of New Zealanders arriving in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania have come into light.
Earlier, on 16th October, the first day of the travel bubble between New Zealand and NSW, seventeen New Zealanders who had arrived in Sydney via NZ, were caught trying to sneak into Melbourne, Victoria. On Monday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the number has jumped to 65.
Travellers have been reported to have travelled to other states such as Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania since the travel bubble opened up – much to the shock of the leaders of their respective states.
What is the confusion?
Australia said it would begin the first stage of the ‘trans-Tasman bubble’ with NSW and NT only – due to the fact that there was nothing said explicitly about onward travel, passengers got confused.
Many assumed they had to stay put, while others believed they could travel on to other states.
Meanwhile, five travellers from New Zealand who arrived in Adelaide on a flight from Sydney have been placed in hotel quarantine. Western Australia and Tasmania too has placed arrivals from New Zealand in hotel quarantine.