The comment is encouraging for those working in New Zealand’s $34 billion tourism industry, which has been battered by lockdown, travel restrictions and border closures during the coronavirus crisis.

Auckland Airport chief executive Adrian Littlewood, who is helping lead an effort to reopen our borders as soon as it’s safe, told Newshub Nation the countries have an opportunity to set “standards for travel restarting around the world”.

Margy Osmond, Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum Tourism co-chair, says a plan for how a trans-Tasman bubble would work could be ready in the next few weeks. Osmond’s hoping for a working strategy by the start of next month. “The plan with this is, although we know that it would take governments longer than that to make a decision about opening the borders, we need to be able show them the industry is ready,” she said.

While the Trans-Tasman bubble is viewed as a ‘favour’ to New Zealand by some Australians, the fact is that it will benefit both countries tourism industries, which are struggling at the moment.

What a trans-Tasman bubble could look like

The Trans-Tasman bubble could be in place by the end of the month, with temperature checks and masks considered to re-open the border with Australia again. Airports and airlines are hoping to test new safety measures in the next few weeks.

What was once a short flight is now a marathon journey with a 14 day quarantine either side. The bubble would mean that visitors travelling between the two countries would not have to go into quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

Airlines are planning to have a working strategy by the beginning of June – and the plan with this is, although it is known that it would take Governments longer than that to make a decision about opening the borders, is to be able show that the industry is ready.

And for many, the sooner the better – to bring countries and families together again.

COVID-19 Help for New Zealanders living in Australia

New Zealanders living in Australia are able to access payments from the Australia Government. If you were employed on the 1st of March 2020, you will need to talk to your employer regarding the below, as it is them who need to apply on your behalf.

Find information on the Australian JobKeeper payment, Employees Eligible for JobSeeker, Employers Eligible for JobSeeker, the payment process, payment timing, how to apply, the Australia Government Coronavirus information and support website for businesses and information from the NZ Hearld Article in this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/covid-19-help-for-new-zealanders-living-in-australia/.