Everything we know about when we can leave Tasmania

With intrastate travel open and Tasmania fast approaching zero active cases of COVID-19, our borders will soon open to several mainland destinations, as well as one international. SEE THE FULL WRAP >>

TASMANIA is fast approaching zero active cases of coronavirus, with several interstate travel options and the potential of New Zealand flights on the cards.

But no official announcements on borders will be made until next month, Premier Peter Gutwein said.

Mr Gutwein has already been in talks with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters about opening up a travel bubble.

During the meeting there was “keen interest on both sides”, designed to boost economic activity on both sides of the Tasman.

This comes as New Zealand became officially coronavirus-free and lifted all of its restrictions, except its international border controls.

On Australian soil, Canberra Airport has already opened a register for travellers to head from the Australian capital to New Zealand as early as July 1.

Tasmanians may be able to visit Canberra in the coming weeks, if flights are given the tick by both states’ governments.

“The Tasmanian Government is in early discussions with the ACT to consider options for establishing flights between the ACT and Tasmania when we consider it safe to do so,” Mr Gutwein said at the end of May.

“As we’ve said we will have more to say regarding our borders in July.”

Only a week later Mr Gutwein and his South Australian counterpart held talks about plans for a ‘safe city pair’.

Airlines would not comment on if new timetables were being drawn up to facilitate any of the talks.

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Mr Gutwein added that his talks with the South Australian Premier considered “the option of looking at a direct link into Adelaide as well”.

“There’s certainly interest around the country in ensuring when it’s safe to do so that the borders can come down,” he said.

But the premier added: “We will not remove our border restrictions until it’s safe to do so.”

There are concerns that flights to the mainland could be used as backdoors out of capital cities, but both the ACT and South Australia are considering the problems.