19 Mar 2021

Queenstown business wants timeline for bubble

From Morning Report, 6:39 am on 19 March 2021

Queenstown business owners are saying 'hallelujah" in response to the promise that the tourist tap will soon be turned back on.

Government ministers are actively working towards a trans-Tasman bubble, and RNZ understands it will be in place by the end of April.

Flights from Australia, known as green flights, will arrive at different times to ensure they don't mix with so-called red flights from quarantine countries.

The Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins says airlines will need at least a couple of weeks to gear up for the change.

The contact tracing system will also have to step up.

Local Restaurant owner, Lou McDowell told reporter Charlotte Cook having a loose timeline in the works will save businesses.