Australia has kept New Zealand on its Red Zone list, meaning anyone arriving in the country has to complete 14 days quarantine, despite the lowering of New Zealand's COVID-19 alert levels.
In a notice posted on its Smart Traveller website, the Australian government said quarantine free flights from New Zealand to Australia has been suspended.
"On February 18, Auckland will move to COVID-19 alert level 2 and the rest of New Zealand to alert level 1. The alert levels will be reviewed on Monday, February 22. The Safe Travel Zone allowing quarantine free flights from New Zealand to Australia has been suspended," the statement says.
"All flights from New Zealand to Australia are now classified as Red Zone flights until at least February 21. If you're arriving into Australia from New Zealand you must complete 14 days quarantine in a supervised hotel."
Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, says the decision was made on the advice of medical experts.
"The Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) will continue to monitor the situation and provide revised guidance every 24 hours as further testing results become available," he said.
Air New Zealand had been operating some quarantine-free flights into Australia since January.
The Red Zone status for Aotearoa will remain in place until 12.01am (AEDT) on Sunday, February 21, unless a decision is made to have it further extended.
