Australia and New Zealand are looking into the possibility of opening their respective tourist industries again to foreigners but only exclusive to their citizens. The model is currently dubbed as a "travel bubble" and experts are positive that this could be the model for the rest of the world in a post-COVID-19 world.
"Travel bubble" between the two countries will see their borders opening to each other once again. Travelers could possibly course through the Tasman sea. Travel analysts expect the plan could take off by August, the months where ski season in New Zealand starts.
If successful, observers are seeing the possibility of expanding the "travel bubble" to the Pacific Islands where there are also impressively low cases of COVID-19 cases.
Australia and New Zealand are hailed as champions in the fight against the COVID-19. Australia has only reported 6,800 total infections and 96 deaths. New Zealand had 1,137 cases and 20 deaths. The latter also reported no new cases for two days in a row since mid-March. The two countries only have a 1% mortality rate.
In the Pacific Islands, Fiji, which is the worst affected in the region, reported 18 cases and no deaths. Guam, a US territory but within the region, has 140 cases and five deaths.
Both Australia and New Zealand closed their borders to foreigners in March. Nations in the Pacific Islands did the same.
While closing borders was an effective means to cut the root of the virus, the tourism industry suffered. Australians accounted for almost 40% of travelers to New Zealand. At the same time, New Zealanders accounted for about 15% of travelers in Australia.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is praised worldwide for effective leadership in the fight against the virus, said the "travel bubble" would only start if officials are certain that virus transmission is almost zero.
Ardern said that the requirement of zero transmission is needed because the 14-day quarantine required of travelers will have to be dismissed. She explained that even with borders opening, people will not travel given the hassle of undergoing the 14-day quarantine in coming and going. As of Tuesday, Ardern is still in discussion with Australian cabinet officers on how to proceed with the plan.
Chris Roberts, the chief executive of the Tourism Industry Aotearoa for New Zealand, said one possible process is having COVID-19 testing hubs in the airports. Those who tested positive will be turned away. There might also be additional information to be asked from travelers so possible contact tracing will be easier.
