[ad_1]
The Covid-19 Response Minister has given Kiwis an example of why the trans-Tasman bubble is so difficult to form.
Your playlist will load after this ad.
The Covid-19 Response Minister gives an example of why the trans-Tasmania bubble deal is so complicated. Source: 1 NEWS
Chris Hipkins spoke to the media today from Wellington’s Basin Reserve after the government launched a new summer campaign to encourage kiwis to keep the Covid-19 virus at bay.
The ‘Make Summer Unstoppable’ campaign reinforces the basics: ask kiwis to wash or sanitize their hands, scan QR codes, turn on Bluetooth in the COVID Tracer app, and stay home if you’re feeling a little ill.
After talking about the campaign, Hipkins said New Zealanders could expect an update on the trans-Tasmania bubble this week.
He said there were a variety of things to work on to open a bubble.
“So we have to work on what would happen in the event of a resurgence, that’s one of the things we have to work on: we have to solve a lot of logistical problems, which include working with airports and airlines.
“One of the issues we are working on with the airlines now is making sure that aircrews working in safe travel zones are segregated from aircrews working in hot zones, if you want.
“That is a logistical challenge for an airline like Air New Zealand, which is the main airline that flies in and out of New Zealand,” said Hipkins.
“So there are two things that really need to be finally resolved: logistics and scenario planning in the event of an outbreak.”
He said if New Zealand were to open up to the Gold Coast, for example, and there were “thousands of New Zealanders on the Gold Coast enjoying the summer sun and there would be an outbreak and we would have to bring them all home and isolate them at home, we would have to find out exactly how it would happen. “
“Because we wouldn’t have thousands of reserved managed isolation rooms just in case that happens.
“So we have to work through all of those endgame scenarios,” Hipkins said.
He said a “more comprehensive update” would be shared tomorrow after the cabinet meeting.
