INTERNATIONAL travel may be on the horizon as Australia’s dedicated Tourism Restart Taskforce has earmarked 1 July as a proposed start date for travel to New Zealand and the Pacific.

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The Taskforce has submitted a plan to the ACT Government for the first international flight between Canberra and Wellington to take place on 1 July, both of which have had very low incidences of COVID-19 with no new cases as of late.

If approved, the flight will carry select government officials, media and business representatives, and will not subject passengers to the mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival.

The Taskforce has also recommended further international travel to other ‘COVID-19 safe’ countries from 10 September.

All international travel could resume by 2021, if the plan is approved.

The proposed travel timetable is labelled as ‘aspirational’, with the final decision ultimately resting with both the Australian and New Zealand Governments.

Hawks Nest resident Sue Collins, was sceptical of the proposed timelines.

“I would think international travel for tourists will not be viable until well into next year.

“Given the quarantine restrictions in Australia, and many other nations, you could potentially face a month of quarantine.

“As older Australians, we will be waiting to see how things develop over the next few months, both here and abroad, before deciding if overseas travel is an option for 2021.”

Yonas Alem, who recently moved to Hawks Nest from the UK, said that even having the option to safely visit his family and friends back home would be a welcomed relief.

“For some of us it’s about more than just being able to travel for fun.

“Everyone I know is in the UK, and I’d love the option of being able to bring my daughter home to meet my family and friends.”

By Ashley CHRYSLER