Australia and Singapore are in talks to establish a travel bubble that could help stranded individuals while boosting tourism, and New Zealand might just be joining the duo in the coming months.
New Zealand could join in Three-Way Bubble
While the initial plan is to allow vaccinated Aussies to travel to Singapore without approval from the Department of Home Affairs, the bubble could become three-way as discussions ensue.
Compared to other countries around the world, New Zealand has only recorded around 2,400 confirmed COVID-19 cases, making it a country that could fit in well with Australia and Singapore's 2021 travel plans.
Other developing countries may also be included in the travel bubble in the coming months, but at the moment, Singapore appears glued to sealing the deal with Australia.
Australia already has a travel bubble with New Zealand.
MFA Confirms Talks with Australia for COVID-Free Travel
The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed Sunday that it is discussing ways to allow for travel between Singapore and Australia under safe COVID-19 protocols.
The MFA said that the plan will prioritize business travelers and students who are looking for a safe getaway without the need to undergo the 14-day quarantine.
According to the MFA, both countries have successfully controlled COVID-19 spreading in their areas of responsibility, making it possible to start planning for quarantine-free holidays.
There are rules to be followed if non-Australians want to travel to Australia via Singapore. While Australian nationals will be allowed to return home via Singapore without quarantining, non-Australians still have to quarantine for two weeks in the city-state.
Following Singapore's confirmation, Australian deputy prime minister Michael McCormack confirmed that the two countries are looking to implement the travel bubble sometime in July.
McCormack also said that as COVID-19 vaccines are administered successfully in other countries, Australia "will reopen more bubbles."
There are around 40,000 Australians stranded in other countries around the world, and the travel bubble that uses Singapore as an entry point to Australia could help stranded individuals finally step back home only with a vaccination certificate as a requirement.
Vaccination Hub in the Works?
As soon as news of a Singapore-Australia travel bubble hit the news, talks of a potential vaccination hub emerged. However, the MFA said discussions did not include a COVID-19 vaccination center or quarantine facility.
On the other hand, Singapore has shown determination in gradually opening its borders to other countries.
On Friday, Singaporean transport minister Ong Ye Kung said that the city-state continues to hope for an "air travel bubble" with Hong Kong.
Singapore initially planned a travel bubble with Hong Kong in November but a resurgence in coronavirus cases in Hong Kong delayed the implementation.
Ong said the bubble with Hong Kong has been signed but the two sides are still coming up with "a few proposals" to improve the setup and ensure that travelers and citizens are safe from potential COVID-19 transmission.
