New Zealand’s Quarantine Free Travel bubble with NSW has been suspended while the source of infection of new Sydney cases is investigated, NZ’s COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins confirmed this evening.
There are 10 new community cases of COVID-19 today in NSW, taking the state’s recent community cases linked to the cluster to 21.
The pause will come into force from 10pm tonight (Australian time) and remain in place for 72 hours initially, the Minister said.
As with previous pauses, it will be under constant review, he said.
“This decision follows a public health assessment today which determined that while the overall risk to public health in New Zealand currently remains low, there are still several unknowns, including a case that was infectious while in the Sydney community and a primary school age child with no clear link established at present.”
“The Government is taking a precautionary approach and will review the decision to pause again on Thursday,” Mr Hipkins said.
