How Will the Trans-Tasman Travel Bubble Work?

When can we go visit our bros in New Zealand again?

Earlier this week, it was announced that the New Zealand and Australian governments have both finally agreed to a Trans-Tasman travel bubble between the two countries.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a press conference on Monday that the country had agreed (in principle) to a travel bubble with Australia in 2021.

"Cabinet has agreed in principle to establish a travel bubble with Australia," she told reporters.

"We anticipate in the first quarter of 2021 pending confirmation from the Australian cabinet and no significant change in the circumstances of either country."

Jacinda Ardern announces the two-way trans-Tasman travel bubble is likely to open by March next year. pic.twitter.com/qvjJTdTVq5

— SBS News (@SBSNews) December 14, 2020

Earlier in the year, travel to pretty much anywhere was looking pretty grim, but from the beginning of the pandemic there was hope that Australians and New Zealanders would be able to hop between the two countries with little to no risk.

The announcement on Monday was welcomed by Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt who stated in a press conference that as long as coronavirus cases remain low, people will be able to travel between the two counties.

"We consciously opened up Australia to people coming from NZ because their case numbers were negligible and we knew there would come a time when our case numbers would give them confidence," he told the media.

"Now this gives the chance for New Zealanders [and] Australians to visit New Zealand… without having to quarantine.

"It's the first step on a return to international normality."

So, when will we be able to travel?

For now, we don’t have an exact date on when the travel restrictions will be loosened, but at the very least, we do know that it will be some time in the first quarter of 2021 according to Ms Ardern.

"It is our intention to name a date for the commencement of Trans-Tasman quarantine free travel in the new year, once remaining details are locked down," she said.

"We've never been wanting to put specific dates prematurely before we've made final decisions because people make plans, people book flights, and people may potentially have quarantine bookings that they could cancel.

"We don't want anyone to do that prematurely until we have certainty around when it will open."

Mr Hunt also made it clear that while we won’t get to see our NZ buddies for Christmas, Australia is ready to arrange the changes as soon as New Zealand is too.

"[Australia is] ready to implement from our side as soon as New Zealand is ready," he said.

"We understand it may take a few more weeks, but we are working constructively and patiently."

Will there be specific safety arrangements implemented?

Because the two countries have taken all the steps to keep coronavirus cases low, they won’t be easing up on their strategies any time soon, which means not only will rigid safety measures be introduced, but some quarantine rules will stay in place (at least at first).

"There are also arrangements to be made with airlines about the management of the air crew and separation, for example, of other Trans-Tasman flights to ensure there's no potential cross contamination," Ms Ardern said.

Since October, New Zealanders are permitted to travel to several Australian states without having to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine, however, at this stage that is still only a one-way rule. Australians wanting to travel to New Zealand are still required to quarantine.

But under the new stage of the travel bubble, both parties could travel either way without the inconvenience of quarantine—it just needs to be ironed out first.

What will happen if there is an outbreak of COVID-19?

After the new plans are implemented, the case of an outbreak in either country would mean some pretty strict and fast quarantine, and then a lot of effort to get citizens back to their home countries.

Both countries need to meet the 28 day mark of no community transmission for the other to even consider travel, just like we have between Australian states. But if another outbreak were to occur, it’s likely either country will be forced to wait until they can confirm another 28 days of zero community cases.

"There has been some public focus on the requirement for 28 days free of community transmission, but that is just one of the criteria and areas where preparation needs to be done before opening," Ms Ardern said.

"We would need to make arrangements to have potentially thousands of New Zealanders brought back to New Zealand in numbers that we wouldn't be able to facilitate, necessarily, managed isolation."

So basically, both countries are taking the travel bubble very seriously and intend to have clear plans in place in the unfortunate event of a breakout.

Header Image: Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images