Australia and New Zealand look to ‘trans-Tasman bubble’ for open travel amid coronavirus

The governments of Australia and New Zealand are looking to open travel between the two nations as both countries make strides in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a joint statement Tuesday the two nations are considering a “trans-Tasman bubble” once health and safety can be ensured, the New Zealand Herald reported. 

The novel coronavirus pandemic has essentially shut down international travel since mid-March as scores of countries shuttered their borders or limited international travel in an effort to stem the spread of the disease. 

The announcement marks a new phase in how countries are moving forward amid the coronavirus outbreak in an effort to resume economic activities.

“A trans-Tasman Covid-safe travel zone would be mutually beneficial, assisting our trade and economic recovery, helping kick-start the tourism and transport sectors, enhancing sporting contacts, and reuniting families and friends,” the prime ministers said in a joint statement.

New Zealand, a country with a population of nearly 5 million people, reported no new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on Tuesday, marking the first day without new transmission, according to government statistics. It has an estimated 1,486 cases, according to the most recent numbers from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Only four people are currently hospitalized with the disease in the country, and there are no cases in the intensive care unit.

Australia, whose population is approximately 25.7 million, said the country on Tuesday has reported 25 new cases, a marked decrease from a peak of 500 new cases reported at the end of March.

The country has a total of 6,851 cases, according to the most recent numbers from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

The two prime ministers reiterated the importance of ensuring health and safety before opening travel in an effort to prevent any new infections hindering progress in the virus’s containment.

“We need to be cautious as we progress this initiative. Neither country wants to see the virus rebound so it’s essential any such travel zone is safe. Relaxing travel restrictions at an appropriate time will clearly benefit both countries and demonstrates why getting on top of the virus early is the best strategy for economic recovery,” the prime ministers said.