5. Question No. 5—COVID-19 ResponseTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 5—COVID-19 Response5. TANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Kia orana Mr Speaker. What recent announcements has the Government made on commencing quarantine-free travel to and from New Zealand?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Yesterday our Prime Minister and Prime Minister Brown of the Cook Islands announced that quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands will commence at 11.59 p.m. on Sunday 16 May. Long-term residents and critical workers have of course been able to travel quarantine-free from the Cook Islands to New Zealand since 21 January and we've been working closely with the Cook Islands to expand this to a wider range of people. Two-way quarantine-free travel is a very significant step for both countries in our COVID-19 recovery and it's a direct result of New Zealand's and the Cook Islands' success in responding to the pandemic.Tangi Utikere: What are the benefits of quarantine-free travel with the Cook Islands?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Quarantine-free travel will mean that families can reconnect commercial arrangements can resume and some Kiwis can take a much-welcomed winter break whilst also supporting the Cook Islands' tourism sector and their recovery. It's important to remember that many other countries around the world still have bans in place on travel for any holiday purposes. So this is exciting and a much-anticipated development for both New Zealand and the Cook Islands and of course it builds on our existing free-travel arrangement with Australia.Tangi Utikere: What work will be required in the lead-up to the commencement of quarantine-free travel with the Cook Islands?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: A lot of work has already been done but there are still a few i's to dot and t's to cross. Commencement of the bubble will be subject to the normal final checks as we went through with Australia including making sure that airlines and airports are ready and all of the necessary protocols and frameworks are in place particularly around how we respond. And we'll receive final advice from the Director-General of Health here in New Zealand before we go live on the 17th.Tangi Utikere: What plans will be in place in the event of an outbreak in the Cook Islands?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It is important to note that the response to any COVID-19 incursion between New Zealand and the Cook Islands will be different to that between New Zealand and Australia. The health and safety of people in the Cook Islands has at all times been a paramount consideration in New Zealand. If there were an outbreak we would likely send some of our own health workforce to the Cook Islands to help them manage the effects of that and we would look to try and reduce any impact—and that may mean bringing people back to New Zealand quite quickly. As in the case with Australia the bubble does come with a flyer-beware caveat. If there is an outbreak in New Zealand flights could be paused and given the size of the social settings in the Cooks a highly precautionary approach is likely to be taken.