Trans-Tasman bubble to be operational by September, as travel restrictions ease

The plan for a ‘Trans-Tasman bubble’ to allow Australians and New Zealanders to travel between the two countries could be presented to both governments as early as next week, and could be operational by September.

Canberra and Wellington have been discussing the possibility of a travel bubble between the countries as both countries have slowed the spread of Covid-19, The Guardian reported.

On Wednesday, the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, said in conversations with her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison that there was enthusiasm from both sides for travel to resume.

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has pledged to “consider” establishing the safe travel zone in July as part of the federal government’s third phase of easing travel restrictions.

The Trans-Tasman Safe Border Group – a 40-strong expert panel which includes representatives made up of 11 government agencies, six airports and two airlines, health experts and border agencies – has been working on a detailed proposal to allow the two countries to re-open their borders with each other.

It says it will be ready to present the plan to both the Australian and New Zealand governments in “early June”.

Co-chair of the group, Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond, said a national survey conducted by the forum showed Australians were keen to travel again once restrictions were eased, particularly domestic and short-haul international travel.

“This is a strong endorsement of plans for a Trans-Tasman bubble allowing travel between the two countries and we would be expecting that to commence as early as September.”

The Guardian in its report said that Australians are the largest national cohort visiting New Zealand, accounting for 40% of all foreign arrivals. Similarly, Australia is the most popular destination for New Zealanders travelling overseas.

Australia was also the most popular outbound travel destination for Kiwis. New Zealand sent 1.4 million visitors to Australia in 2019 – second in numbers only to China.

Some Pacific Islands like Fiji and Vanautu, have indicated that they would like to be included in a regional safe travel bubble. The economies of both countries are hugely dependent on tourism, and admittance to a ‘Trans-Pacific’ bubble could assist in their post-Covid recovery.

The debate over resuming international travel has however drawn attention to Australia’s internal travel restrictions. Several states, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland, have border controls, including completely sealed borders.

There is growing pressure on premiers of those states to lift restrictions to allow for domestic travel to help restart battered tourism economies.