The travel arrangements have been suspended for an initial 72-hour period.
Australia has stopped its travel arrangements with New Zealand for a three-day period after a case of a new Covid-19 variant had been discovered in the community.
It is thought that the 56-year-old woman who tested positive for Coronavirus contracted the virus during a quarantine in the Pullman Auckland hotel.
Health authorities in New Zealand have shared concerns at the positive test, after she had left the hotel following two negative tests. She later started showing symptoms and tested positive. There are concerns of spreading in the community, although nothing has suggested this is the case thus far.
New Zealand authorities also revealed that the new case appeared to be the new South African (B1351) variant of the virus.
The Australian health minister, Greg Hunt, on Monday said in a statement: “Australia has suspended green zone travel arrangements with New Zealand for a minimum of 72 hours whilst more is learnt about the transmission.
“This change comes into effect immediately. The decision has been taken out of an abundance of caution to reduce the risk of this variant, which has been shown to spread more readily between individuals, entering the Australian community.”
Hunt also added than anyone who arrived to Australia on or after January 14 should isolate.
More news on the period of suspension will follow.