Travelers from New Zealand embrace their family members upon arrival in Australia, on April 19, 2021, as a travel bubble opens between the two countries. (Photo: AFP-Yonhap News)
Australians have taken flight to New Zealand for the first time in more than 400 days amid the pandemic, without the need to quarantine for COVID-19 on arrival.
In a joint statement, the prime ministers of the two countries, Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern, said the open border would help drive economic recovery.
These people, who were waiting to board planes, were delighted to travel again.
[Clip: Passengers]
"My daughter has been in New Zealand since January 20. She's dancing in a dance crew in Auckland. So, finally. I left her there. She was 15. She's 16 now. So, it's been emotional for me."
"I think there's going to be a few tears, a lot of hugs, a lot of tears. But, happy tears so it should be good."
"We were there in January last year. We were fortunate to go back for a wedding. But since they locked it down, we haven't been able to control that and it feels like forever."
The Trans-Tasman travel bubble was announced earlier this month.
Passengers with any cold or flu symptoms will not be allowed to travel.
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