Transtasman travel ‘soon as it is safe’

WELLINGTON: Australia and New Zealand are committed to introducing a transtasman travel zone ‘‘as soon as it is safe to do so’’.

The confirmation came after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in an Australian national Cabinet meeting yesterday.

The transtasman bubble would ease travel restrictions between the two counties and would be put in place once the necessary health, transport and other protocols had been developed, the two prime ministers said in a joint statement.

The pair said the arrangement recognised both Australia and New Zealand were successfully addressing the spread of Covid19.

‘‘Building on our success so far in responding to Covid19, continuing to protect Australians and New Zealanders remains an absolute priority.

‘‘We will remain responsive to the health situation as it develops.’’

Mr Morrison said it was good to have Ms Ardern join their Cabinet meeting and the primary purpose was for her to share New Zealand’s response to the virus with his colleagues.

He said the pair had been talking about the transtasman bubble ‘‘for several’’ weeks.

The obvious start to connecting Australia with the rest of the world was to start with New Zealand.

The private sector and other stakeholders had expressed interest in the arrangement and officials would work closely with those groups, including the

Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, he said.

The transtasman bubble would need to take into account state and territorial movement restrictions.

There are currently bans on travelling between some states in Australia.

‘‘A transtasman Covidsafe travel zone would be mutually beneficial, assisting our trade and economic recovery, helping kickstart the tourism and transport sectors, enhancing sporting contacts, and reuniting families and friends,’’ the statement said.

‘‘We need to be cautious as we progress this initiative.

‘‘Neither country wants to see the virus rebound so it’s essential any such travel zone is safe.

‘‘Relaxing travel restrictions at an appropriate time will clearly benefit both countries and demonstrates why getting on top of the virus early is the best strategy for economic recovery,’’ the Prime Ministers said.

They said they had worked together on Australia’s and New Zealand’s respective border settings since the Covid19 pandemic began as each country had allowed the others citizens to transit on their way home.

‘‘Our relationship is one of family and our unique travel arrangement means we have a headstart for when it is time to get transtasman travel flowing again.’’

Once the travel arrangements across the Tasman were established, they would then look to include other Pacific countries which were interested in joining.

Mr Morrison said the arrangement was ‘‘still some time away’’.

Australia has now recorded more than 6800 cases of Covid19, with 3035 in New South Wales, 1423 in Victoria, 1043 in Queensland, 438 in South Australia, 551 in Western Australia, 223 in Tasmania, 107 in the Australian Capital Territory and 29 in the Northern Territory. The death toll stands at 96. New Zealand yesterday recorded no new cases or deaths from Covid19 for the second successive day.

There are 164 active cases of Covid19, while 1302 cases are considered recovered — 88% of the country’s confirmed and probable cases.

Four people were in hospital, but none in intensive care. —