Australia Reopens Limits: New Zealand Bubble Sparks Travel Revival
Saturday, April 19, saw a rolling wave of joy as Christina Cassin hopped off a flight from Wellington straight into Melbourne. With the fresh “quarantine‑free bubble” between Australia and New Zealand finally in place, she was practically sprinting to finally meet her daughter and the newest addition to the family tree—a five‑month‑old grandson who had been born just months ago.
She Was on the Go!
Christina tells The Age how she had been stuck without any decent travel options because of COVID restrictions. Suddenly, with their new bubble ready for take‑off, she grabbed the first flight and rushed home.
First Flights to the Rescue
- Airlines pulled in extra staff and added new routes to meet the nearly 10,000 travellers that flew between the two countries on that day alone.
- Australian airports welcomed the new arrivals with traditional dances, spreading smiles and a sense of “homecoming.”
- New newsprint ads screamed for hotels and holidays, and both Australia and New Zealand have stayed largely free of community‑transmitted COVID.
Future Bubbles on the Horizon
With one bubble open, travel haunters in Australia are already eyeing more destinations, especially Singapore and eventually Japan, South Korea, or some bright South Pacific islands.
Deadly? No, Just Safe!
Australia keeps its rules pretty tight: only citizens, permanent residents, and their families can fly in, usually paying for a mandatory 14‑day quarantine. Residents are normally barred from leaving, although they can petition for an exemption. The country has seen very few local COVID cases and has banged on for normalcy again.
Burrowing into the Travel Sector’s Feats
- Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas, said he is hopeful the nation will soon open bubbles with Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
- “We want the borders open, but only if it’s safely done,” he told ABC News. “Quarantine stifles travel demand, and we must preserve our hard‑earned domestic market.”
High‑End Travelers Still Missing Out!
Even as the domestic market lightens, affluent tourists from Asia, the US and Europe are still stuck out—because only the lowest‑risk nations are in the bubble room.
Government Stance
Prime Minister Scott Morrison assured reporters that Australia isn’t rushing to throw open the door. “We’re not in any hurry,” he said, noting that a worldwide pandemic still poses risks. He’s wary of putting the Australian life‑style in peril.
So, as the travel sector beats a hopeful rhythm and the government keeps an eye on the global pandemic’s health, the Australian coast sees a fresh wave of optimism—one continent hoping to catch up with the rest without a hefty price tag.
