The PacPrint floorplan is looking great, with six months still to go before the show opens. News of the NZ-Aus 'travel bubble' is perfect as, usually, 300-400 of our Kiwi cousins hop over the Tasman to 'have a squizz' at what's on offer at the Melbourne trade event. April 18th is the blessed day. Andy McCourt commentary.
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| Hooray! The Kiwis are coming to PacPrint. Well, maybe not all of them! |
I wake up in the morning and have to pinch myself at how lucky we are living at this end of the planet. Covid restrictions are easing and, for the most part, life is returing to normal. Of course, we won't be able to travel into the northern hemisphere for some time apparently, but one of our biggest markets has just opened up again - and vice-versa for New Zealanders.
The Governments, NZ and Australia, are lifting travel restrictions from April 18th and almost re-establishing the pre-Covid routes and frequencies for air travel. Only Virgin is delaying resumption of services until October
As SBS reported: "New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed the much-anticipated opening date of the two-way trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia.
From 11.59pm Wellington time on 18 April (9:59pm AEST), the NZ government will lift the requirement for Australian travellers to have to quarantine upon arrival.
Until now, travel between the countries was a one-way street that allowed people from New Zealand to travel to Australia quarantine-free, but not vice versa.
The travel bubble is not only expected to help reunite families separated across the Tasman by the coronavirus pandemic, but also give New Zealand’s tourism sector a big shot in the arm.
While travel across the Tasman won’t be exactly as it was pre-COVID-19, things are still fairly straightforward.
Passengers will need to:
- Provide NZ authorities with information on how they can be contacted while in the country
- Wear a mask on the flight
- Download and use the NZ COVID Tracer app
Ms Ardern said passengers will not be able to travel if they have cold or flu symptoms.
Travellers are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Ms Ardern said officials would conduct random temperature checks on those touching down in the country “as an extra precaution”, and travellers from Australia would not have contact at airports with people arriving from other parts of the world.
By September when PacPrint will take place, we can all hope that our situation will enable even easier travel. If a Japan and Singapore bubble opens up - even better, but it is not guaranteed.
Just one Covid case on a plane could see all flights grounded again but, for now, it's time to celebrate, book stands for exhibitors and PacPrint accommodation - and plan for a blockbuster of a show!
