Australian Government Enforces 12-Day Lockdown in NSW as Winter Break Begins

The Australian government stuck a knife into the heart of New Zealand ski areas yesterday by locking down and restricting movement in New South Wales (NSW) for twelve days after the Sydney community covid-19 outbreak. 

Ski fields in New Zealand have been flooded with cancellations as quarantine-free travel remains off the cards during most of the New South Wales school winter break, traditionally one of the busiest periods for ski areas.

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Many ski areas were relying on the holidays and the introduction of the trans-Tasman bubble to kickstart their seasons.

“We’re gutted to see the pause in quarantine free travel between New Zealand and New South Wales. We had some very strong bookings from New South Wales for next week, the week starting 28th of June. So it’s the first week of their school holidays.

“And then the following week starting the 5th of July, our bookings were near capacity. So we’re seeing mass cancellations coming in now.”

– NZ Ski chief executive Paul Anderson

Hopefully, the cancellations turn into rebookings as restrictions are lifted.