“The Trans-Tasman Bubble is the beginning of a new chapter in our COVID response and recovery that people have worked so hard for and that makes New Zealand and Australia relatively unique,” she said.

“I know families, friends and significant parts of our economy will love it, as I know I definitely do.”

Ardern said they wanted to make state-to-state decisions in the event of an outbreak. She said this approach would allow the New Zealand government to respond more quickly and autonomously when a new cluster emerges in Australia. Depending on the extent of the outbreak, there will be a range of responses, including travelers being asked to check for symptoms, isolate at home, or enter the MIQ on their return to New Zealand. In the worst case, the journey between New Zealand and the affected state would be interrupted.

Ardern said a final decision regarding where to go to Queensland and whether residents there would need a test before coming to New Zealand would be made next Wednesday.

Business groups have welcomed today’s announcement, almost a year after travel between the two countries ceased.

Kirk Hope, Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, said: “The New Zealand tourism and hospitality sector has suffered from the full force of Covid-19. Today’s news will greatly encourage you that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Australia is our second largest trading partner and New Zealand’s largest international visitor market. It accounts for almost half of all international visitor arrivals. This is an important step in bringing our key service sectors back into operation.”

During the previous Ardern press conference, the government was criticized for how long it took to reach a Trans-Tasman Agreement between the two countries. But Ardern said ministers need to be sure that every scenario is planned in case of another outbreak.

New Zealand today recorded no cases of community transfers and 17 cases of returned travelers in managed isolation.

Queensland is still grappling with the most recent outbreak, with the prime minister imposing a three-day lockdown just before Easter. Today the state did not register any new transfers.