AUCKLAND (Sachin)- With Australians likely to be banned from overseas travel until 2021, there are least chances of trans - tasman travel bubble in coming days.
Australian Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has told countries' National Press Club that "more likely" Australians will be banned from overseas travel until 2021, unless special exemptions are given for business travel and on compassionate grounds. He urged Australians to consider a holiday at home than traveling abroad.
With both Australia and New Zealand having managed to contain the spread of COVID - 19 to a greater extent, people of both countries had high hopes that trans - tasman travel will be allowed soon. Birmingham warned travelers not to get their hopes up.
"Opening the tourism related travel in or out of Australia not seems possible at present. Essential business travel from countries which have managed to contain the disease like in Australia and New Zealand might be allowed eventually," he said.
He, however, made it clear that Australia could allow international students and some other categories of visitors, who stay in country for longer period, as long as they are willing to serve 14 - day quarantine period.