New Zealand and the Cook Islands have agreed to a travel arrangment between the two nations, as Australians wait a little while longer to travel across the ditch.
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NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown have instructed officials to put in place measures to safely recommence two-way quarantine-free travel in the first quarter of 2021.
"The arrangement recognises the special ties between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. It will allow people to travel more easily between our two countries, while acknowledging that the priority remains to protect our populations from COVID-19," Ms Ardern said.
Mr Brown noted the free movement between NZ and the Cook Islands is central to their close relationship and integral to the Islands' recovery from the coronavirus.
"This arrangement is the next step towards resuming many aspects of life in the Cook Islands that have been disrupted by COVID-19, including access to health and education, and reuniting family and friends," he said.
Australians eager to travel to NZ will have to wait as Ms Ardern has ruled out a trans-Tasman bubble until February at the earliest.
Australian Associated Press
