New Zealand prime minister bursts trans-Tasman ‘bubble’New Zealand prime minister bursts trans-Tasman ‘bubble’

As reported in Seatrade Cruise Review's June issue, an Australian New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) has been formed to investigate what protocols need to be in place for travel between the two countries to resume.

Travel initiative led by Ann Sherry

The ANZLF committee, which is being led by Carnival Australia adviser and former chairman Ann Sherry, includes health and border force officials from both sides of the Tasman and peak tourism bodies. 

However, this week New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern dismissed the prospect of the bubble starting ‘anytime soon.’

Australia's coronavirus numbers too high

Ardern said Australia’s coronavirus community transmission levels are too high to contemplate opening the border. 

She said Australia would need to be free of community transmissions for 28 days before its citizens would be allowed to enter New Zealand.

‘That is going to take a long time for Australia to get back to that place,’ she said. 

She said travel between the two countries looks like being on the back burner for several months.