New Zealand’s loss of virus-free status takes the heat out of trans-Tasman travel bubble argument

Excitement at the prospect of direct Tasmania to New Zealand flights has dulled as fresh coronavirus cases wreck our neighbour’s virus-free status and deflate hopes of a trans-Tasman travel bubble.

FRESH coronavirus cases in New Zealand appear to have dampened enthusiasm for the early establishment of a trans-Tasman travel bubble that would include direct flights between Auckland and Hobart.

In May, Premier Peter Gutwein was excited at the prospect that NZ and Australia might act alone on international travel, accepting visitors from both destinations while other international borders remained firmly closed.

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On Tuesday, Mr Gutwein retreated from that saying he had not heard from NZ authorities since that country had confirmed new COVID-19 cases, which revoked the virus-free status declared on June 18.

“We had positive talks before these new positive cases but I haven’t heard from NZ since they had the border incursions,” Mr Gutwein said.

“When it is appropriate for international borders to open we will pursue direct Tasmanian flights.”

He said talks were already underway about what quarantine and other facilities would be needed at Hobart Airport for that to happen.

Premier Peter Gutwein says he has not heard from his New Zealand counterparts since that country confirmed new coronavirus cases. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Hobart Airport has backed the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce’s call for Tasmania’s borders to be open to allow direct flights between Hobart and other “safe” capitals such as Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Darwin along with New Zealand.

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Acting CEO Matt Cocker said the call for a domestic and trans-Tasman travel bubble presented a great opportunity to throw suffering Tasmanian businesses a lifeline.

“Passengers have an appetite for flights, and the airport is ready to go at short notice,” Mr Cocker said.

“Airlines need to seriously consider resuming services on these routes, as soon as possible – we must act now to avoid Tasmania being left off the map.”

Mr Cocker said setting a date to open domestically, while difficult, was vital.

Mr Gutwein is expected to provide more information on Friday on the possible reopening of Tasmania’s border.

While the business and the tourism sectors have put pressure on the Government to get visitors flying back in, it has been tempered by the latest findings of the Tasmania Project.

The project, run by the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Social Change, found only 13 per cent of the 1258 people interviewed want the state to welcome tourists again right now.

The research, which closed on June 17, also found 71 per cent of Tasmanians disagreed with the assertion that the Government “had been too slow to ease COVID-19 restrictions”.

One-quarter of participants admitted they did not always follow the physical distancing rules – up from 13 per cent from the first survey in May.