16 votes

For the first time ever, New Zealand shuts borders to all non-citizens and non-permanent residents as of 11:59PM, 19 March 2020

10 comments

  1. [5]
    Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    ... and Australia is not far behind. So, Kiwis and Ockers are considered locals in each other's countries. That's nice. It's also possibly one of the reasons Australia keeps copying New Zealand's...

    ... and Australia is not far behind.

    Mr Morrison said he had consulted New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about Australia's new travel ban prior to announcing it.

    "The New Zealand arrangement, in the same way as it has in the past, doesn't apply to Australians living in New Zealand as New Zealand residents," he said.

    "Equally for New Zealanders living in Australia as Australian residents, these are the same rules that apply in both countries.

    "We have worked today to align what we're doing and I appreciate that openness."

    So, Kiwis and Ockers are considered locals in each other's countries. That's nice. It's also possibly one of the reasons Australia keeps copying New Zealand's border restrictions.

    10 votes
    1. [4]
      envy
      Link Parent
      Why does Mr Morrison sound like the boy who copies exam answers off the smart kid?

      Why does Mr Morrison sound like the boy who copies exam answers off the smart kid?

      The Prime Minister spoke to his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Arden to "swap notes" before he made today's announcement.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        Algernon_Asimov
        Link Parent
        Probably because he is, to some degree, copying his answers from the girl sitting next to him. However, there is also the issue that, because of the free open border between New Zealand and...

        Probably because he is, to some degree, copying his answers from the girl sitting next to him.

        However, there is also the issue that, because of the free open border between New Zealand and Australia, any immigration or travel policy in either country will affect the other country.

        4 votes
        1. envy
          Link Parent
          The smart girl. With the kiwi accent ;)

          copying his answers from the girl sitting next to him.

          The smart girl.

          With the kiwi accent ;)

          3 votes
      2. sleepydave
        Link Parent
        Nothing wrong with that IMHO, I wish America would take notes from Australia in the vein of healthcare and gun reform.

        Nothing wrong with that IMHO, I wish America would take notes from Australia in the vein of healthcare and gun reform.

        2 votes
  2. [5]
    unknown user
    Link
    Truly unprecedented. We now have 28 cases of COVID-19 in the country, and supposedly all of them were the result of international flights arriving into the country, with no community outbreak so far.

    Truly unprecedented. We now have 28 cases of COVID-19 in the country, and supposedly all of them were the result of international flights arriving into the country, with no community outbreak so far.

    7 votes
    1. spit-evil-olive-tips
      Link Parent
      As a Seattleite, I'm jealous of how seriously your government is taking this.

      As a Seattleite, I'm jealous of how seriously your government is taking this.

      8 votes
    2. [3]
      envy
      Link Parent
      Most of them from citizens and permanent residents, who obviously aren't barred from re-entry, so I wonder how effective the self isolation will be...

      Most of them from citizens and permanent residents, who obviously aren't barred from re-entry, so I wonder how effective the self isolation will be...

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        unknown user
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Remains to be seen of course, but I'd bet this will probably stop the broad majority of people who have no intention of self-isolating after arriving. With tourists, most don't stay much longer...

        Remains to be seen of course, but I'd bet this will probably stop the broad majority of people who have no intention of self-isolating after arriving. With tourists, most don't stay much longer than 2 weeks anyway, so having to spend a significant portion of your planned vacation by yourself, quarantined, is very undesirable. Thus there's a significant incentive to not self-isolate and continue with your plan to travel the country.

        At least with citizens and those who have a connection to the country, arriving back is more likely to be part of your every day life: there's no significant driver to leave the house, apart from say work or events.

        3 votes
        1. envy
          Link Parent
          Good point. I had plans to visit nz for a week, but now there is no point.

          Good point.

          I had plans to visit nz for a week, but now there is no point.

          1 vote