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Australia and New Zealand agree on a travel bubble starting April 19

Australia and New Zealand have agreed on a comprehensive quarantine-free travel bubble for the first time since the pandemic began last year. Australia’s border has been mostly open to New Zealanders since October, with a few short suspensions when there were small coronavirus outbreaks in Auckland. But until today’s announcement, New Zealand had delayed returning the favour due to more frequent Covid-19 clusters across Australia. The bubble, which will open just before midnight on April 19, is expected to deliver a boost to tourism and to families that have