Coronavirus: the Pacific disaster looming at New Zealand’s doorstep

OPINION: Imagine if the Bay of Plenty region had 465 cases of Covid-19. That is what is happening to one of our Pacific neighbors after the country became the first in the Pacific region to reopen to tourism.

French Polynesia, with roughly the population of the Bay of Plenty region, is facing an increase in new cases, and it is a warning to New Zealand, and our Pacific neighbors, about the dangers of traveling without quarantine.

In mid-July, the government of French Polynesia opened the borders to tourism and said: “You have waited long enough! Reconnect with nature, your loved ones and the world in The islands of Tahiti. As of July 15, 2020, French Polynesia will once again officially welcome its first international visitors. “

There would be a strict policy of border control; You should test negative a few days before you travel and then do a self-test on the fourth day. As reserves grew, countries like Fiji watched with interest. Was Tahiti really about to restart tourism amid a raging and growing pandemic?

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As of August 30, according to Statista, the number of cases in the country is doubling every 13 days, making it one of the fastest growing outbreaks in the world.

Now French Polynesia has 465 cases for a population of less than 300,000 people. Additionally, Covid-19 is now spreading in the community, with the health minister reporting transmission at baby showers, parties, and barbecues. The cases have spread to some outer islands. Unions are threatening strikes this week unless the country reimposes a two-week quarantine.

If we look at New Zealand, the prospect of a trans-Tasman bubble with Australia looks slim in the next six months. Community cases continue to be reported in New South Wales and Queensland. Those who advocate non-quarantine travel through Tasmania, with proof beforehand, only need to search French Polynesia for evidence why that doesn’t work.

For countries like Fiji desperate to restart tourism, they will watch it with caution. You should focus your only energy on developing a travel bubble with New Zealand, because once we have eliminated the cases again, we too, like Fiji, will be Covid free. Instead, Fiji seems determined to leave the door open for possible travel with Australia and even with Asian countries, which means that our Government will not allow us to travel to Fiji without quarantine, for fear of mixing with other nationalities.

There is no easy answer to reopening borders in a Covid-19 world. Those with widespread community transmission, such as countries in Europe, have done so because it is already in the community.

But it is much more difficult for countries trying to eradicate the virus. In any case, the looming disaster in French Polynesia, a once popular vacation spot for Kiwis, will serve as a warning to a region desperate to restart tourism.