By Stephen Wright

WELLINGTON, New Zealand--New Zealand's government said quarantine-free travel with Australia's Victoria state will be halted for an initial 72 hours while the source of new Covid-19 cases in Melbourne is investigated.

The New Zealand restrictions will be in place from Tuesday evening and follow Victoria's decision to limit the size of gatherings and require the wearing of face masks indoors.

Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand began in mid-April, more than a year after they shut their borders because of the pandemic. It has allowed families separated by the pandemic to reunite and given a boost to companies such as Air New Zealand Ltd. and Auckland International Airport Ltd.

Write to Stephen Wright at stephen.wright@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-25-21 0029ET