Another trans-Tasman bubble breach has occurred, this time in New Zealand.
Air New Zealand told Newshub they are aware of a passenger onboard NZ175 from Auckland to Perth who is "ineligible for quarantine-free travel to Australia".
According to Stuff, it's understood the traveller arrived in Auckland from Rarotonga on Thursday. They spent one night in the country before catching NZ175 on Friday morning.
While travellers arriving in New Zealand from the Cook Islands do not have to quarantine on arrival, those transiting onto Australia are required to have stayed in New Zealand for at least 14 days prior to departure.
The traveller did not complete the required 14-day stay. Instead, flying to Perth after staying in New Zealand for only one night.
An hour into the flight to Perth, Air New Zealand staff realised there had been a breach and reported it to authorities, reports Stuff.
Air New Zealand said they are working with authorities on both sides of the Tasman and "will follow their guidance".
"The next steps for this passenger will be determined by the Western Australia authorities," a spokesperson said.
It follows a green zone breach at Brisbane Airport on Thursday where a COVID-19-positive passenger came into contact with quarantine-free travellers at a cafe.
The breach occurred at the Hudson Café, where two individuals, travelling from Papua New Guinea, were there at the same time as green zone passengers.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Friday officials consider it to "present a relatively low risk" to travellers.
"I think it just demonstrates again just how important it is on both sides that we had put a lot of work into the arrangements... From time to time we are going to have to manage situations where there may be lapses."
Green zones are areas of the airport where only travellers from New Zealand or Australia can go. Red zone areas include travellers from all over the world, including COVID-19 hotspots.
The aim is to keep quarantine free travellers separate from passengers arriving from countries with COVID-19.
