COVID-19: 72 hour Trans Tasman bubble suspension and other restrictions for New South Wales

Bad news for anyone who is planning to travel to New Zealand from New South Wales in the 72 hours since 1am this morning (23 June 2021). The New Sealand government has paused quarantine free travel. The travel ban began at midnight this morning NZ time, which translates to 10 pm last night Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

New restrictions in place in NSW

Well there goes my trip to Adelaide this weekend! Gladys-Beryl Jicklian, our premier, is discouraging travel generally, as well as limiting gatherings, restaurant capacity and compulsory mask wearing sort of everywhere. States are adjusting their restrictions, so see below for a list of state health department links.

Virus on a plane

Last night we also learnt that a potentially infections traveller was present on 2 flights to and from New Zealand recently. The flights were:

• Qantas QF163 (7:05 [AEST] flight) Thursday 17 June Sydney to Wellington
• Air New Zealand NZ247 (10:13 am flight) Monday 21 June Wellington to Sydney

Anyone on either of these flights needs to get tested immediately and then isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.

As a result of this case, there is again talk of of a New Zealand or Wellington specific lockdown.

New Restrictions in Queensland and other states

Some states have also changed their restrictions regarding travellers who have been or live in particular Sydney suburbs that have been visited by COVID cases identified as part of the ‘Bondi Cluster’.

Things are changing fast, and state health authorities usually announce any changes in restrictions each morning. For instance Queensland has just closed its border to anyone from a NSW hotspot.

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

And if you are booked for New Zealand – then you better check here as well: New Zealand COVID-19 Travel Advice.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

We are back into the maelstrom of border closures. I have abandoned plans for a trip to Adelaide this weekend (sorry Felix) and a trip to New Zealand in the next fortnight is balancing on a knife-edge. Wish me luck!

In a more reflective tone, mask up (especially if you are in Sydney) and get vaccinated!