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The coronavirus pandemic that hit the world last year is still causing horrific waves in many countries. In the past couple of months, new variants of COVID-19 have also emerged in few countries.

Thanks to the immediate border shutdowns, travel bans and other health policies, Australia has come out of community transmission. Currently, the country has around a hundred COVID-19 positive cases, with more than four million people successfully vaccinated against the virus.

Travel is in the lifeblood of Australians. Thanks to the collective effort of all nationals towards fighting the deadly coronavirus, Australians can finally relish the experience of new journeys and destinations. With the ease in COVID-19 restrictions in the country, ministries are now promoting domestic tourism.

However, the international borders are likely to remain closed in the near term to safeguard Australia from the new variants of COVID-19.

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 GOOD READ: Why Australia’s overseas travel hit a 24 -year low in 2020?

Notably, the Australian tourism industry is coming out of the woods. While international travel might seem like a far-fetched dream for the citizens, they still can visit a few countries under the new travel corridors. These corridors are better known as “travel bubbles”.

The Australia – New Zealand travel bubble

With mostly low and stagnant demand, the travel industry was struggling for months. But as the saying goes- there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

The air travel bubble with New Zealand is perhaps the brightest light currently to help Australia come out of a prolonged no-travel timeframe. The travel bubble is great news for the revival of the aviation industry. The corridors with New Zealand were opened in April 2021. This marked the first travel bubble without quarantine requirements.

Citizens welcomed the first travel bubble positively, as the initial flights were fully booked. However, the quarantine restrictions and other rules may change depending upon the COVID-19 cases in both countries. Thus, travellers are advised to keep to a track on any important updates.

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Apart from the New Zealand travel bubble, Australian travellers have new opportunities coming their way. More air bubbles indicate a comparatively safer and freer travel experience.  

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Potential upcoming travel bubbles

After New Zealand, Australia may form travel bubbles with Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. After opening corridors with New Zealand, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Singapore, Japan, and South Korea were being assessed as potential partner countries for the new air travel bubble with Australia. He addressed them as potential future travel buddies.

In March 2021, there were indications that the travel bubble with Singapore might begin as soon as July 2021. Through the travel corridor, citizens from both countries who have been vaccinated can travel quarantine free. Discussions seem to be currently underway between both parties, regarding mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel.

INTERESTING READ: Australia to promote tourism; to create a travel bubble with Singapore.

After a year of travel restrictions, doors to travel are finally opening up for Australians. Air travel bubbles are a sure ray of hope in the darkness shed by the deadly coronavirus.

These bilateral travel corridors not only provide new opportunities to travel and explore but assist in easing the year-long stress and anxiety caused due to COVID-19. Citizens are advised to read important updates released by the Health and Tourism ministry in case of any changes.

 

SOURCE: KALKINE MEDIA