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Summary
- Two-way travel bubble to commence between New Zealand and the Cook Islands from 17 May 2021.
- The Cook Islands has remained COVID-19-free during the entire coronavirus pandemic.
- In case of any detection of virus, Kiwis would be repatriated to their home country.
In another historic event, New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, following a Cabinet Meeting on 3 May, announced a two-way, quarantine-free bubble with the Cook Islands commencing from 17 May.
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Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Cook Islands has been in a dialogue with the NZ Government for months over the opening of a travel bubble between the two countries.
Do Not Miss Reading: Quarantine not a must for Cook Islanders travelling to NZ: Ardern
Key Takeaways From Announcement
After the final go-ahead by the NZ's Director-General of Health and the Cook Islands’ Secretary of Health, Ardern Government signaled the start of the travel bubble across the two nations on 17 May 2021.
In the event of any possible emergence of COVID-19 case, Kiwis are likely to be sent back to lessen the impact on the local healthcare system of Cook Islands. Moreover, New Zealand would be sending sufficient doses of Pfizer vaccine to inoculate the whole population of the Cook Islands.
Did You Read; Is A Third Vaccine Shot Required To Beat COVID-19? Pfizer Plans To Go Ahead With It
It is noted that a pre-departure COVID-19 test is not mandatory. However, flyers will have to give travel as well as health declaration and would be subject to random airport health check-ups.
Air New Zealand Limited (NZX:AIR) has announced economy flights to the Pacific nation for just NZ$270 and would be enhancing the frequency of the flights to 3-4 times a week starting from 7 June.
Also Read: NZ PM Ardern announces Trans Tasman bubble How are airlines preparing for it?
The Cook Islands Remained COVID-19-Free During The Entire Pandemic
It is noted that New Zealand-aligned Pacific nation has not seen even a solo case of COVID-19 on its shores since the onset of the pandemic.
However, the NZ PM warned her countrymen of an added responsibility of not exporting coronavirus to the Cook Islands while visiting the place.
One-Way Travel Bubble Already In Place Since January
Since the Cook Islands have recorded zero COVID-19 case, its citizens have been allowed to enter Aotearoa since January 2021, without undergoing a 14-day quarantine period.
Also, the tiny Pacific nation had recently launched CookSafe+, a contact-tracing application compatible with NZ’s Covid Tracer application.
Did You Miss Reading; Government urges Kiwis to make frequent use of NZ COVID Tracer application
Would The Two-Way Travel Bubble Prove To Be Advantageous?
Ardern opined that the recommencement of the travel bubble would be beneficial to both the nations.
Most of the tourists coming to the Cook Islands comprises Kiwis, and tourism is a prime industry for the tiny island nation.
The travel arrangement would witness the reunion of family and friends, resumption of business activities, as well as kick-start of the vacations by the Kiwi tourists ahead of the onset of the winter season.
Must Read: Will Trans-Tasman bubble give a respite to the NZ economy?
Cook Islands PM To Be The First International Leader To Touch NZ Soil
Mark Brown, Cook Islands’ Prime Minister became the 1st international leader to visit the Kiwi nation in March 2021 since the onset of the pandemic. He expressed that his country was all set for the business and looking forward to the 2-way travel bubble between the two countries.
