Travel bubble tops wishlist for business
TASMANIA’S business community is hoping today’s announcement on the state’s borders will include a travel bubble arrangement with COVID-safe states like South Australia and Queensland.
Premier Peter Gutwein will today provide an update on Tasmanian border restrictions, after a planned reopening of July 24 was pushed back.
Opening to coronavirusravaged Victoria has already been ruled out, but it is hoped unrestricted travel between other states with little or no cases could be possible.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said this would provide a muchneeded boost to business, especially tourism operators, hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Victoria and NSW are both looking worrying at the moment so it’s obvious that won’t be possible, but direct flights from Queensland and also Adelaide are quite possible for Hobart and Launceston,’’ he said.
“Fundamentally what we’re hoping for is a controlled opening with like states such as South Australia which has been COVID-free for a long period of time.
“It would give our tourism and hospitality operators some comfort heading into summer.”
The manager of popular Hobart fish punt Flippers, David Owens, said he would welcome any increase in tourism numbers, but only if it was deemed safe.
“Personally, if it was safe to do so, I’d be for it, but my priority is not going to go into a severe lockdown again,’’ he said.
“We’ll take it if it happens, but my number one priority is to do what’s safe.”
Labor this week called for the state government to detail its plan to Tasmanians about when travel with COVID-safe states might be possible.
Labor leader Rebecca White said that would enable businesses to have a date to work towards to allow planning for restart of operations.
But Greens leader Cassy O’Connor urged the Premier to “hold firm” on border restrictions.
“We are hoping that the Premier won’t be rushed into any premature opening of borders or easing of those border controls and we believe the vast majority of Tasmanians feel the same way,’’ she said.
“On the coronavirus, because of the actions that have been taken by government and Public Health and the people of Tasmania, we’re in a pretty good spot, but what we’ve learned from Victoria and NSW is it’s very finely balanced, it’s precarious and it just takes one person with the virus to set us back.”
Mr Gutwein hinted this week that Tasmanians should not get their hopes up about interstate travel and that it was important to assess evolving COVID-19 situations in other states.
“We are in a good place compared to Victoria, NSW and the challenges that they are facing,’’ he said.
“Our borders have stood us in good stead and it’s important we continue to maintain those strong border arrangements.”
PERSONALLY, IF IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO, I’D BE FOR IT [INCREASING TOURISM], BUT MY PRIORITY IS NOT GOING TO GO INTO A SEVERE LOCKDOWN AGAIN FLIPPERS MANAGER DAVID OWENS