Travel Bubble Plan: Promoting Physical Not Social Distancing Amid Covid-19

While most countries around the world are struggling to fight against Covid-19, strict travel restrictions have increased mental pressure among travellers. Aiming to return to normalcy by promoting tourism and saving the plunging economy, Australia and New Zealand are banking on a travel bubble plan.

Considering the low number of Covid-19 cases in the two countries, their respective governments have decided to pursue a trans-Tasman Covid-safe travel zone after they ease the ongoing lockdown. The news came out in a joint statement by New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern and Australia’s Scott Morrison. As per this travel bubble plan, the number of flights on national airline carriers would be increased and travellers would not have to remain in 14-day quarantine post arrival.
Even though the travel bubble plan might prove to be a great economic motivator for Australia and New Zealand, its execution will need great precision, or a second wave of Covid-19 is likely. In such a scenario, the two countries would lose the interest of travellers currently considering them safe for travelling post the pandemic.

Despite the challenges, the Foreign Minister of New Zealand-Winston Peters seems to be optimistic about the travel bubble plan. He said, “Look at the big picture, with tourism carefully handled, we could get it started a whole lot sooner than people are conceptually owning up to at this point in time, or admitting or dare I say, dreaming to do.”
The joint statement released by Australia and New Zealand is futuristic and includes plans of expanding the travel bubble beyond the two countries. It says, “We will also explore opportunities to expand the concept to members of our broader Pacific family.” This would serve as a major boost for the travel industry of Australia, New Zealand and some Pacific Islands too.”
Another travel bubble plan in process is that of the Baltic region. The Prime Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have hinted at opening their borders to each others’ citizens from May 15.
Poland and Finland could also join the free travel bloc soon. As per the European Commission office in Lithuania, the internal border controls between all member states must be lifted in a coordinated manner.
It is significant to note that the travel bubble plan will work only if the countries involved in it have similar Covid-curve-characteristics. Fiji is also looking forward to entering the Australia-New Zealand travel plan.
Sources claim that a Canadian rural province-New Brunswick, has issued certain guidelines allowing residents to join their bubble. The main idea behind this is to promote physical distancing instead of social distancing. As per the government guidelines, “To reduce social isolation, your household can join up with one other household, if both households mutually agree. This would allow you to visit, have a meal and enjoy the company of another household bubble.”
Similar model has been adopted by New Zealand too as since April 27, residents have been permitted to include close family members, caregivers or someone who needs care in their household bubble.