The travel bubble pause comes into effect from 7.59pm New Zealand time (5.59pm AEST) today and will be in place for at least 72 hours.
New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the travel pause would be under constant review.
“While the case announced today is not unexpected as a contact of a case announced yesterday, New Zealand officials have assessed that the most cautious option is to pause the travel bubble with Victoria as there are still several unknowns with the outbreak,” the statement read.
“The Government understands the disruption this will temporarily cause affected passengers.
“It was a close call but the correct one given the current unknowns.
A man in his 60s was identified as the fifth case in the Melbourne northern suburbs outbreak today.
They include gatherings of no more than five people in a private home, public gatherings limited to 30 and face masks indoors for those aged 12 years and older.
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