New Zealanders stuck in Australia are delighted a more viable path home has opened up, an advocate for stranded Kiwis says.
Grounded Kiwis spokesman Martin Newell, from Dunedin and who is in Melbourne, said he read many messages of delight yesterday.
The Government announced a five-phase border reopening plan that begins with eligible travellers from Australia being able to self-isolate for 10 days, rather than stay in a managed isolation and quarantine facility, from the end of this month.
"There’s a huge sense of relief," Mr Newell said.
"It’s a big, big weight off people’s shoulders.
"It really does mean a lot to so many people."
MIQ, and the lottery system to enter it, had been a significant blockage, he said.
A border reopening plan was put on hold in December, because of the emergence of the highly infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19 internationally.
Mr Newell said families with Kiwis in other countries had been put under strain and he hoped that rifts would heal.
He encouraged people to get a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Dunedin travel agent Vincent George said his phone was busy after the Government’s announcement. Many New Zealanders who had been stranded in Australia were delighted about the prospect of returning home.
However, the requirement for people to self-isolate on arrival in New Zealand was unhelpful for tourism.
