SYDNEY, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Australian State of Queensland will reopen its borders to New Zealand from Saturday, helping to reunite families in time for Christmas.
New Zealanders will not be required to undergo a two-week hotel quarantine when they arrive in Queensland as is the case for all other international arrivals.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday the decision was made possible by New Zealand recording 28 days of zero community transmission.
"More New Zealand citizens call Queensland home than any other Australian state. With Kiwis able to travel to Queensland from tomorrow, families can finally be reunited in time for Christmas," Palaszczuk said.
Travelers from New Zealand were previously able to fly into other three Australian States including New South Wales although were still required to quarantine themselves upon return to New Zealand.
Palaszczuk said she hopes to see restrictions eased even further to allow free travel between the two countries, which is expected to boost the economies of both New Zealand and Queensland which are heavily reliant on tourism.
Queensland only recently reopened to Australia's two largest cities after more than eight months of restrictions and has been steadfast in putting the need to maintain virus suppression ahead of swift reopening.
