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Friendship bubble announced for under-18s

The NSW government has announced the establishment of a “friend bubble” for people under the age of 18 within the state. The “friend” or “playdate” bubble will allow three young people under the age of 18 to meet up for quality social time. The members of each bubble must live within the same LGA, or within five kilometres of each other, and any supervising adults must be fully vaccinated. The new change was signed off by the NSW government and is set to take effect from Tuesday September 21st. Fifteen-year-old school student Alyssa Horan spoke at the daily NSW press conference to celebrate the announcement. "Children and young people definitely want to do the right thing and also be able to socialise because lockdown is incredibly isolating for everyone," she said. "Helping everyone feel connected will undoubtedly benefit their mental health." Deputy Premier for NSW John Barilaro said the new bubble will come as a reward to both parents and children after months of lockdown restrictions and isolating conditions of at-home learning. "We're in school holidays, kids have done it really, really tough, parents have done it tough," Mr Barilaro told Today. "The mental strain, the wellbeing of our kids are important. So the crisis committee made a decision that we'll allow those kids to come together, just like we have the adult single bubbles but that's for the vaccinated.” "For kids you don't have to be vaccinated and we'll allow some kids to come together during the school holidays." The announcement comes as Pfizer confirms their COVID-19 vaccine is safe and works for children between the ages of 5 and 11, as well as Moderna becoming widely available for kids. Image credit: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

Singapore-Australia travel bubble on the cards

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak across eastern Australia, Qantas has announced plans to restart international flights as soon as Christmas. The national airline has struggled during the pandemic, with CEO Alan Joyce describing trading as “diabolical”. The first stop on the airline’s international itinerary will be countries with high COVID-19 vaccination rates, with Singapore coming in first on the list of eligible countries. Until now, Australia has opened one successful travel bubble with New Zealand, however borders have since closed at the time of writing. But, with a Singapore-Australia travel bubble in our future, here’s everything you need to know about how it will work when it opens. When will Australians be able to travel to Singapore? Qantas is planning to restart travel to the nation by mid-December, 2021. The Australian government has also been discussing the opening of a travel bubble with Singapore, though an official date is yet to be set. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQf7JHfBlB4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQf7JHfBlB4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by VisitSingapore (@visit_singapore)</a> </div> </blockquote> The bubble would allow residents from Singapore and Australia to travel between the countries without undergoing mandatory quarantine. Will I need to be vaccinated to enter Singapore? The short answer: yes. Many countries are introducing vaccine passports to travel, with Singapore instituting a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) that only allows vaccinated travellers into the country. Plus, Singapore will be requiring potential visitors to apply seven to 30 days before they plan to enter the country, with applications available from September 1, 2021. Though the chances of contracting COVID-19 in Singapore are much lower than other destinations, the Delta variant has triggered a surge in outbreaks - highlighting the need for travellers to be vaccinated. Image: Visit Singapore / Instagram

International Travel

Australia and Singapore agree on plans for travel bubble

Scott Morrison has reached a deal with Singapore to work on the conditions for a travel bubble that would initially allow students to return. The Prime Minister visited Singapore on Thursday to speak to his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong. It was the first stop on his way to Cornwall for the G7 leaders' summit, as well as trade and security talks in London and Paris. Over the past week, Singapore has recorded an average of four local COVID-19 cases a day, with its vaccine rollout well underway, restrictions easing and rapid test kits about to go on sale to the public in pharmacies. Morrison said Singapore had done a "tremendous" job in tackling the virus and it was time to put systems in place to enable the two countries to open up in a similar way to the Australia-New Zealand bubble "when we are both in a position to do so". "There is nothing impeding us - as we discussed today - from getting on with the job of putting systems in place that will enable such a bubble to emerge between Singapore and Australia," he said. Students from Singapore would get priority when the bubble is established. At an int media conference, Mr Lee said the world was now transitioning into the "next phase of the fight", in relation to the pandemic. The "safe and calibrated" air travel bubble would start with mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, he said. "When ready then we can start small with an air travel bubble to build confidence on both sides," he said. The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on health care and health technology and agreed to begin talks on a "finch bridge" which would make it easier to cooperate on financial technology. After the G7 summit, Morrison will meet with British PM Boris Johnson in London and hold talks in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron. "There has never been a more important time for Australia to be at the table with the world's largest liberal democracies and advanced economies," Mr Morrison said in a statement. "The global pandemic and the recession it has caused means like-minded countries and businesses need to work together to lead the global recovery to restore lives and livelihoods. "There is a lot at stake for Australia, the region and the world."

International Travel

Humpback whales have been spotted ‘bubble-net feeding’ for the first time in Australia

If you gaze at the ocean this winter, you might just be lucky enough to spot a whale migrating along Australia’s coastline. This is the start of whale season, when the gentle giants breed in the warm northern waters off Australia after feeding in Antarctica. This north-south migration happens every year, but the whales can still surprise us. Thanks to a <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-citizen-science-16487">citizen scientist</a> and his drone, humpback whales were seen feeding in a mass super group and “bubble-net feeding” off the New South Wales coast last year. As my new <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.3621">research paper</a> confirms, this a big deal for two reasons: it’s only the second time a super group of humpbacks has been observed in the southern hemisphere (a first for Australia) and the first time bubble-net feeding has been seen in Australia. So what is bubble-net feeding, and why are these observations so important? Blowing bubbles, catching krill Bubble-net feeding is when whales deliberately blow bubbles from their noses to encircle their food — <a href="https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/krill/">krill</a> and fish — like a net, concentrating their prey into a tight ball. Then, the whale or group of whales swim together from beneath, rise to the surface opening their mouths, and gulp up their prey. It remains a mystery as to why the whales feed in this way and how they learned to do it. 2020 was a year full of unprecedented events, and the humpback whales certainly didn’t disappoint. Humpback whales in this eastern Australian population are usually observed lunge feeding on their side, or feeding below the surface. Bubble-net feeding, on the other hand, is mostly documented in some <a href="https://youtu.be/Q8iDcLTD9wQ">Northern Hemisphere populations</a>. But we know there are individual whales in the eastern Australian humpback population who bubble-net feed in Antarctic waters. This means the unique behaviour in Australian waters may have evolved independently, or through <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/114/30/7775">cultural transmission</a> (learning new behaviours from different whales). The drone footage and observations made in September from whale-watching boats was the first to document bubble-net feeding. To add to the excitement, citizen scientists also documented bubble-net feeding behaviour further south of <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-04/unprecedented-humpback-whale-sightings-tasmania-migration-season/12844702">Tasmania</a> a month later. Using stills from the September drone footage, an estimated 33 humpback whales can be seen feeding at the same time. Unfortunately, it’s not known exactly what the whales were feeding on. Until then, humpback whale congregations this large had never been observed in Australian waters. In fact, the only other time a mass humpback feeding event has been seen in the Southern Hemisphere was off <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0172002">South Africa</a> in 2011 (this now occurs regularly there). This was the first time the term “super group” was used to describe a group of 20 or more whales feeding this way. But why were they feeding in ‘breeding waters’ anyway? The majority of the east Australian humpback whale population spends the summer months feeding in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30748-4">Antarctic waters</a>. They then head north to warm breeding waters in the Great Barrier Reef during winter (June-August) to mate and give birth. They forego feeding for love — humpbacks can go for months without eating, relying instead on energy reserves in order to reproduce. Animals that do this are called <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19739368/">capital breeders</a>. From August to November, humpbacks migrate southward back to Antarctica. Along the way, they sometimes take a “pit-stop” on parts of Australia’s east coast <a href="http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v541/p231-244/">to feed</a>. It was originally thought this population never fed along the migratory route. However, we know they do now to possibly supplement their energy intake as they migrate. So why are these observations important? Whales play important an important role in the <a href="https://youtu.be/2PXgFoTtwi0">ecosystem</a> of the ocean because they feed in one area and poo in another. This action — known as the “<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0013255">whale pump</a>” — moves nutrients around the ocean. Their poo feeds tiny organisms, such as <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/plankton/">plankton</a>, which are eaten by krill, and then eaten by whales. Seeing these super group feedings highlights changes in our marine environment we might not have otherwise been aware of. One possible explanation for this behaviour could be favourable environmental conditions. A combination of ideal water temperatures and nutrients may have resulted in an abundance of food, which saw large numbers of humpback whales feeding in the same area. Or perhaps it has something to do with the recovery of the east coast humpback whale population, which has been increasing in numbers since whaling ended in the 1960s. Regardless, it’s important to understand how changes in the marine environment influence the extent humpback whales depend on feeding opportunities along their migratory route. This will help to predict how whale populations respond to future changes in the ocean. This includes climate change, which will warm ocean temperatures and alter when and where the prey of humpback whales are found. As a result, humpback whales will also move to different locations. One thing, at least, is abundantly clear: more eyes on land and sea through <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mms.12651">citizen science</a> will provide a valuable opportunity to document such exciting future events. So keep your eyes peeled for whales this season, and be sure to tell a scientist if you see something unexpected. Written by <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-pirotta-873986">Vanessa Pirotta</a>, Macquarie University. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/humpback-whales-have-been-spotted-bubble-net-feeding-for-the-first-time-in-australia-and-we-have-it-on-camera-157355">The Conversation.</a>

Cruising

The travel bubble loophole that could land you in jail

Travellers who are considering using the newly-opened travel bubble to New Zealand to head to other countries risk receiving massive fines and even jail time. With quarantine-free flights now available between New Zealand and Australia, news of a ‘loophole’ appeared that could enable Australian travellers to enter other international destinations. Current COVID restrictions mean that Australians have been banned from leaving the country unless they have an exemption. But, since Aussies can now travel to New Zealand, our kiwi neighbour could act as a stepping stone to other foreign countries. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN1YbWXDwFT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN1YbWXDwFT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by New Zealand (@purenewzealand)</a> </div> </blockquote> To prevent unnecessary travel, Health Minister Greg Hunt signed off on a new amendment to the Australian Government’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021L00456?fbclid=IwAR1laL3vGPRQAr_JErYR1Uf59sHszZ15SjuCjd0YIN-HCyoR628MXhSOhyk" target="_blank">Biosecurity Legislation (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential)</a>, which comes into effect on Monday. The change will see Australian citizens and residents penalised if they travel to a foreign country beyond New Zealand unless they have an exemption to travel for a compassionate reason, such as the death or serious illness of a close family member, or they require medical treatment that isn’t reasonably available in Australia or New Zealand. According to the document, those who break the rules “may contravene a civil penalty provision’ set out in section 46 of the Biosecurity Act. The minimum penalty for failing to comply with entry and exit requirements in the Biosecurity Act starts at $6300. But, the penalty listed on the Australian Parliament website is much harsher, with people who intentionally disobey the rules facing up to five years’ jail time and a $63,000 fine. Despite still being in its early days, a new community COVID case in Auckland has Australian health authorities concerned that the trans-Tasman bubble could pop. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYrBcPj2eH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYrBcPj2eH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Aussiepomm (@aussiepomm)</a> </div> </blockquote> New Zealand’s Ministry of Health announced the case just a day after the quarantine requirements were lifted for those travelling between Australia and New Zealand. The case is believed to have contracted the virus from a passenger who arrived on an international flight from a ‘red zone’ (high risk) country. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the new case shouldn’t impact the trans-Tasman travel arrangements. ‘These are the kind of scenarios where we would anticipate movement continuing,’ she said. ‘Our Minister of Health has kept in touch with his counterpart. They’re directly communicating and so are our officials.’

Travel Trouble

Pack your bags: The trans-Tasman bubble is officially open

Set your sights on New Zealand, as our kiwi neighbour welcomes Aussie travellers once again. The trans-Tasman bubble has officially opened, allowing visitors to fly between the two countries without needing to quarantine before or after travel. Andrew Waddel, Tourism New Zealand’s General Manager, told Today there would be “emotional scenes” in New Zealand today as friends and families reunite following border closures last March. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNT6ru9AGpx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNT6ru9AGpx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by New Zealand (@purenewzealand)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Building from that, there are going to be business travellers and holiday arrivals,” Mr Waddel said. “New Zealand gets to welcome back our Australian friends and vice-versa, New Zealanders coming back to Australia as well.” It’s been a long time coming, but Mr Waddel said, “We’re really excited. It’s a great buzz here in the airport.” As well as seeing family and friends reunite, the trans-Tasman bubble would also offer a large economic return and create jobs according to Mr Waddel. He recommended that Australians eager to travel to “plan ahead” and do their research ahead of their trip. “We’re encouraging people to visit websites like New Zealand.com or COVID19.gov.nz and they’ll provide good travel advice,” he said. “Download the COVID app, plan ahead and have contingencies in place as well.” “There’s so much to offer … which we’re looking forward to sharing soon. We’re really excited.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN0ysmujaJ9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN0ysmujaJ9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern)</a> </div> </blockquote> On the night of Sunday, April 18, the first quarantine-free flight between the two countries touched down in Auckland, just minutes after the trans-Tasman bubble officially opened.

International Travel

Qantas boss hints at four more travel bubbles

Australians are being given the opportunity to travel overseas for the first time in more than a year, in just days. The highly anticipated New Zealand travel bubble will open for reciprocal quarantine-free travel on Monday. However, impatient Aussies are already wondering when they can set their sights further, and go to next. Qantas boss Alan Joyce has given a hint as to where we may be able to go. On Thursday, Joyce suggested there are four countries that could be in line for a travel arrangement. “It all depends on what level of COVID is in an individual country, and what level of restrictions and testing will be put in place,” he said. “There are clearly a lot of countries in the region, especially in the Asia-Pacific, that have had a tight control on COVID. “They give us market opportunities for Singapore, like Japan, markets like Taiwan for us to potentially open up. “But we’re also actively looking at the Pacific Islands because there are really good opportunities in places like Fiji and the Pacific Islands to open up.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also hinted at possibly opening up the travel bubble arrangement a little more. “These things are regularly assessed by the Chief Medical Officer and we have looked at places like Singapore and Japan and South Korea, and countries like this,” he said. “But at this stage, we are not in a position to move forward on any of those at this point.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840759/qantas-jacinda-ardern-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/839b26b4d61e4c19a0b9415f1623e95f" /> New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also revealed that their government is considering whether the Cook Islands could be incorporated into a travel bubble. She says the travel bubble announcement is “world-leading” however stressed that it is fragile. Ardern said three responses are in place should a COVID outbreak happen in Australia or a coronavirus case. They said their process would be to continue, pause or suspend flights. “For instance, if a case is found that is quite clearly linked to a border worker in a quarantine facility and is well contained, you’ll likely see travel continue in the same way as you could see life continue if that happened here in Australia,” she said. “If, however, a case was found that was not clearly linked to the border, and a state responded by a short lockdown to identify more information, we’d likely pause flights from that state in the same way we would stop travel into and out of a region in New Zealand as if it were going into a full lockdown. “And if we saw multiple cases of unknown origin, we would likely suspend flights for a set period of time.”

International Travel

Budget bubbles: Australia's Top 10 tasty champagnes

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and what could be better than popping open a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the occasion. But if you're on a budget, you can get that Champagne taste on a sparkling wine budget - with some options coming in at less than $7.50. Speaking to 9Honey, a number of wine experts recommended their favourite sparkling under $20. Here's what they recommended: Claire Creek Sparkling Moscato Rosa NV, $3.99 "Whether enjoyed as an aperitif or over a cream layered fruit Pavlova, sparkling moscato is a great way to freshen up the palate after a meal. Lifted, light red fruits of musk, fairy floss and strawberry tropical fruits, bring freshness and a balanced sweetness to the mouth. Best served chilled." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI Veuve-Olivier Sparkling Brut NV 750ml, $7.49 "If you can't go past a French bubbly, particularly a sparkling under $10, then look no further than this Gold Medal-winning bottle. This wine is a fresh, dry, and fruit-driven bubble full of citrus and toasted honey flavours. Available as part of our everyday range, this is the perfect bottle for a Valentine's Day toast." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI Yellowglen Chardonnay Pinot Noir & Prosecco NV 750ml, $7.99 "This refreshing pinot noir and prosecco is exclusive to ALDI with fresh citrus and stone fruit flavours and a creamy finish." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI Yellowglen Chardonnay Pinot Noir Prosecco & Rose NV 750ml, $7.99 "A pale pink, refreshing rose sparkling that is perfect for any celebration, with aromas of strawberries and white pear." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI Corte Carista Prosecco NV 750ml, $9.99 "This classic prosecco from the Veneto Fruilli Venezia Giulia region is fresh and dry, with flavours of white pear, acacia flowers and elegant perfume." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI Vallee Des Secrets Sparkling Cuvee NV, $12.99 "This masterful Grande Cuvee exudes freshness, vibrancy and subtle complexity. Another award winner available in stores every day, the Cuvee features flavours of white stone fruits, grapefruit and light red fruits." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI Amelia & Trent Burge Versus Cuvee Brut, $14.99 "The perfect bottle of bubbles for lovers who like their sparkling wine on the crisp and dry side. This Chardonnay Pinot Noir sparkling is full of summer fruits with complex notes on the nose followed by a rich mouthfeel and a light, crisp finish." - Mathew Young, Champagne and Sparkling Wine Category Manager, Dan Murphy's Villa Conchi Brut Selection Cava, $16.99 "For the woman in your life! With the aim of paying homage to Conchi, a woman who loved French sparkling wines, Villa Conchi Cava is a tribute to women around the world. A careful selection of vineyards in the heart of Catalunya, protected by the mountain of Montserrat, has been the main focus for the production of Villa Conchi. Their Cavas aim to present a fresher style from a Mediterranean climate." - Mathew Young, Champagne and Sparkling Wine Category Manager, Dan Murphy's Belvino Prosecco DOC, $17.99 "With its eye-catching packaging, Belvino is sure to impress your Valentine. But this Prosecco from Italy is not just about the packaging! The finest grapes were chosen to create an intense sparkling wine with a rich bouquet and pronounced flavours of fresh cut pear and crisp apple. The mousse is soft and caressing and the flavours linger attractively." - Mathew Young, Champagne and Sparkling Wine Category Manager, Dan Murphy's Dean & Monroe King Valley Prosecco, $18 "If you are going for a stylish Valentine's Day picnic or table setting, this is the perfect bottle. This refreshing Prosecco from the renowned King Valley region is full of lovely flavours of melon and white peach." - Simon Wilson, BWS Learning Partner But if you do decide to splurge a little on a bottle of bubbly… Monsigny Champagne Brut NV 750ml, $22.99 "This award winner offers great value for money and is available in stores every day. With a dried apple and nutty flavour, it's a signature of high-quality Champagne." - Jason Bowyer, Wine and Sparkling Buying Director, ALDI

Food & Wine

"Bubble boy" Thomas Collins dies after being unable to return home to QLD

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A young boy who struggled with an auto-immune disease for most of his life passed away on Saturday. Thomas Collins was just 3 years old when he died after being diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) just days after he was born. The deficiency means he has no ability to fight off diseases and makes the risk of infections life-threatening. He spent 858 days in the hospital and was kept in a "plastic bubble" to stop him from catching diseases. Tom's conditions worsened while in a Melbourne hospital and the young family weren't able to move back to Queensland for support from their other family members due to COVID-19 restrictions. Tom's parents Leah and Morgan Collins have been fighting for their son to be let into Brisbane as he was nearing the end of his days but were unable to get a response from Queensland Health in time. The reason the family were in Melbourne was due to a specialist in a Melbourne hospital being the only person who could deliver the treatment Tom needed. The family shared their heartbreak on Facebook. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftomsbattle%2Fposts%2F913107189094286&show_text=true&width=552&height=760&appId" width="552" height="760" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> “It is with deepest sorrow and fractured hearts that we tell you of Thomas’s passing this evening,” the Collins family posted on Facebook. “He passed peacefully in the arms of his parents. “Despite our best efforts we were unable to get him home to Queensland. “No response from Qld was received in time. We understood the potential conditions were very distressing and would have separated our family during transport. “We would then be forced to quarantine in the room he would have passed in as he was unlikely to survive 14 days quarantine. “We chose to do what our son needed most, which was to be with his parents in a peaceful environment to the end. We were able to do that for him.” “Sadly, we now have a choice between 14-day hotel quarantine, or wait 14 days south of the border to get back to Queensland, via NSW,” they said. “We wished we could be surrounded by family during this time but this is the hand we have been dealt.” </div> </div> </div>

Caring

New Zealand travellers burst Australia's travel bubble

Travellers arriving as part of the newly minted international arrangements with New Zealand have left state authorities scrambling after taking internal flights to jurisdictions outside of the travel bubble. Under the original arrangements, passengers from New Zealand were permitted to enter New South Wales and the Northern Territory. But on Friday night, it was revealed that a few trans-Tasman arrivals took connecting flights to Melbourne. Authorities in Victoria have now spoken to all 55 people who were gearing up to arrive in the state to explain local coronavirus rules. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a statement saying some of the travellers were in family groups, with most of them staying in private homes. Three of the travellers expected to enter the state remained in NSW. And one who was in Victoria returned to NSW on Sunday. "Twenty-one of the 55 travellers arrived at Melbourne Airport … the remainder arrived using other modes of transport," the statement said. "DHHS authorised officers continue to meet incoming flights at Melbourne Airport and provide information to arriving passengers." Authorities in West Australia have also confirmed 23 people, including a child, all from New Zealand, are currently in hotel or home quarantine after flying into Perth overnight. WA has a hard border and Premier Mark McGowan said the Federal Government needed to provide more support. "We would like further assistance from the Commonwealth, in particular, about making sure that those people who come on aircraft into WA that we get proper manifests and proper advice as to those people that are coming so we can deal with these situations," he said. Unlike Western Australia, Victoria does not have restrictions on incoming arrivals, but Premier Daniel Andrews has issued criticism over the way events unfolded. He said his government had repeatedly requested to be excluded from the arrangement. "We were asked, 'Do you want to be in the bubble?' and we said no," Mr Andrews told reporters on Sunday, as he announced easing of restrictions in the state.

Travel Trouble

New Zealand to Australia travel bubble to begin in two weeks

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text ">New Zealanders will get the opportunity to travel quarantine-free to Australia in the first stage of a travel bubble deal between the two countries in two weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says that the quarantine-free travel will begin from midnight on Friday, October 16. New Zealanders will be allowed to fly into NSW and the Northern Territory. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Breaking! Australia and New Zealand agree on an air travel bubble within weeks!! — Stephanie Hunter (@EliteStephanie) <a href="https://twitter.com/EliteStephanie/status/1311889612390891522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2020</a></blockquote> It is expected that Australians will be given the opportunity to head to New Zealand at a later date. Prime Minister Scott Morrison smoothed out all the details of the arrangement with his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern on Friday. “This will allow New Zealanders and other residents in New Zealand who have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hot spot in New Zealand in the preceding 14 days to travel quarantine free to Australia,” Mr McCormack said at a press conference on Friday afternoon. Mr McCormack said that the Commonwealth definition of a COVID-19 hot spot was three locally acquired cases over a rolling three-day average. However, there was no date yet for when Australians would be able to travel to New Zealand. “Certainly if (Ms Ardern) wants to have Australians going to New Zealand, then that will be up to her and New Zealand as to how those arrangements can be put into place and under what conditions they can be put into place,” Mr McCormack said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Australia and New Zealand announce first stage of travel bubble between the two countries <a href="https://t.co/va69e62x8s">https://t.co/va69e62x8s</a> — abaskswhy (@abaskswhy) <a href="https://twitter.com/abaskswhy/status/1311888320838815745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2020</a></blockquote> “But as I’d say, Northern Territory and New South Wales — very much open.” Mr McCormack said the trans-Tasman travel bubble was the first stage of the government’s plan to “open up Australia to the world”. South Australia has since opened up its domestic border but will not be part of the first travel bubble Mr McCormack said. However he says it is expected to be the “next cab off the rank”. He said other states could follow if they accepted the Federal Government’s COVID-19 hot spot definition. There are no plans to expand the international bubble beyond New Zealand yet, but the option may be a possibility soon. “We may well extend this. We want to open up Australia to the world. This is the first part of it,” McCormack said. “We will wait and see how this unfolds, we will wait and see the success of this. “I know Foreign Minister Marise Payne is working with many of our Pacific island friends at the moment, but for the Pacific Islands that want to go to New Zealand (and) be there for a fortnight, they can avail themselves of this opportunity.” Sydney Airport chief executive Geoff Culbert said that the announcement has given the travel industry “a welcome injection of hope”. “We applaud the Federal Government for driving this through,” Mr Culbert said. “Pre-COVID New Zealand was Sydney Airport’s second busiest passenger route behind the USA. We’ve been preparing for the ramp up of international passengers from the day restrictions came in and we’re looking forward to giving our Kiwi cousins a safe and warm welcome from October 16.” “I hope very soon to see New Zealanders coming and holidaying in Australia,” Mr Morrison told the National Press Club in Canberra this week. “I can’t tell you Australians will be able to holiday in New Zealand, but that’s their problem. I’m happy for Kiwi tourists to come here and spend money in NSW and South Australia. They’re very, very welcome.”</div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"> <div class="right-box-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

News

NASA-inspired Bubble House goes on the market

“In what may well be one of the weirdest homes you’ll ever find in Australia, architect owner Graham Birchall took almost a decade to complete the construction – a true labour of love that’s part NASA space base and part-Queensland engineering genius,” writes <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bizarre-bubble-house-hits-market-for-first-time/" target="_blank">RealEstate.com.au</a> of the one-of-a-kind property in Ipswich, west of Brisbane. Having gone on sale for the first time, interest in the incredibly fascinating Bubble House has been pouring in from all corners of the globe. "Sometimes people don't believe it when I tell them where I live," Mr Birchall told the ABC. "There are 11 domes in all ranging from four metres in diameter to eight metres in diameter, it has 16 rooms over three levels so it's rather large. "It's got two libraries, a movie theatre, and circular windows that open and close with an iris. "I love it because it is so spacious. You don't even notice the ceiling and the spaces just flow on from one to the other." The Ipswich architect built the astonishing property in Karalee, west of Brisbane, in the 1980s after an idea he had during his final university thesis. "It took 10 years to build,” he said. “We built on weekends from Father's Day 1983 to Father's Day 1993. "There were a lot of challenges – we had to invent a lot of tools like a curved ladder to build it. "It was a lot of fun to do. "Half of it is the Flintstones and the other half looks more like the Jetsons." After contacting NASA for some design tips, Mr Birchall was pleased to actually hear back from them. "I knew they had something like it on their mars rover and they sent the drawings to me, I was surprised they answered the phone call," he said. Mr Birchall said the decision to put the quirky property up for sale after decades of living and working there was a tough one – but he was excited to be moving closer to his grandchildren. IMAGES: RealEstate.com.au

Real Estate

Sun, sand and uncertainty: The promise and peril of a Pacific tourism bubble

Pacific nations have largely <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12328702">avoided</a> the worst health effects of COVID-19, but its economic impact has been devastating. With the tourism tap turned off, unemployment has soared while GDP has plummeted. In recent weeks, Fiji Airways laid off 775 employees and souvenir business Jack’s of Fiji laid off 500. In Vanuatu 70% of tourism workers have lost their jobs. Cook Islands is estimated to have experienced a <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/05/18/1177034/an-island-in-debt">60% drop in GDP</a> in the past three months. In response, many are calling for the Pacific to be included in the proposed <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/121727144/coronavirus-transtasman-travel-bubble-date-down-to-australians-winston-peters-says">trans-Tasman travel corridor</a>. Such calls have come from <a href="https://devpolicy.org/vanuatu-a-tourism-sector-perspective-on-potential-recovery-from-covid-19-and-tc-harold-20200506-1/">tourism operators</a>, <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/418156/pressure-mounts-on-nz-and-aust-to-include-pacific-in-bubble">politicians</a> and at least one <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/2020/05/28/1205479/nz-pacific-islands-bubble-should-come-first">health expert</a>. Quarantine concerns aside, there is economic logic to this. Australians and New Zealanders make up <a href="http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2019/06/tourism-sector-achieves-3-16-million-visitor-arrivals-in-18/">more than 50%</a> of travellers to the region. Some countries are massively dependent: two-thirds of visitors to Fiji and three-quarters of visitors to Cook Islands are Aussies and Kiwis. Cook Islands has budgeted NZ$140 million for economic recovery, but this will increase the tiny nation’s debt. Prime Minister Henry Puna has <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2020/06/cook-islands-prime-minister-calls-for-pacific-bubble-as-soon-as-new-zealand-enters-covid-19-alert-level-1.html">argued for</a> a limited tourism bubble as soon as New Zealand relaxes its COVID-19 restrictions to alert level 1. Cook Islands News editor Jonathan Milne <a href="https://player.whooshkaa.com/coronavirus-nz?episode=665993">estimates</a> 75-80% of the population is “desperate to get the tourists back”. A Pacific bubble would undoubtedly help economic recovery. But this merely highlights how <a href="https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/impact-of-covid-19-on-tourism-in-small-island-developing-states/">vulnerable</a> these island economies have become. Tourism <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337854342_Development_and_change_Reflections_on_tourism_in_the_South_Pacific">accounts</a> for between 10% and 70% of GDP and up to one in four jobs across the South Pacific. The pressure to reopen borders is understandable. But we argue that a tourism bubble cannot be looked at in isolation. It should be part of a broader strategy to diversify economies and enhance linkages (e.g. between agriculture and tourism, to put more local food on restaurant menus), especially in those countries that are most perilously dependent on tourism. Over-dependence on tourism is a trap Pacific nations such as Vanuatu and Fiji have recovered quickly from past crises such as the GFC, cyclones and coups because of the continuity of tourism. COVID-19 has turned that upside down. People are coping in the short term by reviving subsistence farming, fishing and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/08/two-piglets-for-a-kayak-fiji-returns-to-barter-system-as-covid-19-hits-economy">bartering</a> for goods and services. Many are still suffering, however, due to limited state welfare systems. In Fiji’s case, the government has taken the drastic step of allowing laid-off or temporarily unemployed workers to withdraw from their superannuation savings in the National Provident Fund. Retirement funds have also been used to <a href="https://www.fijivillage.com/news/We-need-Fiji-Airways-to-come-back-strongly-for-the-future-of-the-country---Koroi-48r5xf/">lend FJ$53.6 million</a> to the struggling national carrier, Fiji Airways. Fiji has taken on more debt to cope. Its debt-to-GDP ratio, which ideally should sit below 40% for developing economies, has risen from 48.9% before the pandemic to 60.9%. It’s likely to <a href="http://www.economy.gov.fj/images/Budget/budgetdocuments/supplements/SUPPLEMENT-TO-THE-COVID-19-RESPONSE-BUDGET-ADDRESS.pdf">increase further</a>. High debt, lack of economic diversity and dependence on tourism put the Fijian economy in a very vulnerable position. Recovery will take a long time, probably requiring assistance from the country’s main trading partners. In the meantime, Fiji is pinning hopes on joining a New Zealand-Australia <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/416392/fiji-keen-to-join-nz-australia-travel-bubble">travel bubble</a>. Out of crisis comes opportunity Supporting Pacific states to recover is an opportunity for New Zealand and Australia to put their respective Pacific <a href="https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/mfat-annual-reports/mfat-annual-report-2018-19/case-study-the-pacific-reset-a-year-on/">Reset</a> and <a href="https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/Pages/the-pacific">Step-Up</a> policies into practice. If building more reciprocal, equitable relationships with Pacific states is the goal, now is the time to ensure economic recovery also strengthens their socio-economic, environmental and political infrastructures. Economic well-being within the Pacific region is already closely linked to New Zealand and Australia through seasonal workers in horticulture and viticulture, remittance payments, trade and travel. But for many years there has been a major trade imbalance in favour of New Zealand and Australia. Shifting that balance beyond the recovery phase will involve facilitating long-term resilience and sustainable development in the region. A good place to start would be the recent United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific <a href="https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Policy%20brief_MPFD_Combating%20COVID-19%20in%20Asia%20and%20the%20Pacific%20updated.pdf">report</a> on recovering from COVID-19. Its recommendations include such measures as implementing social protection programs, integrating climate action into plans to revive economies, and encouraging more socially and environmentally responsible businesses. This is about more than altruism – enlightened self-interest should also drive the New Zealand and Australian agenda. Any longer-term economic downturn in the South Pacific, due in part to over-reliance on tourism, could lead to instability in the region. There is a clear <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/11/the-next-economic-crisis-could-cause-a-global-conflict-heres-why">link</a> between serious economic crises and social unrest. At a broader level, the pandemic is already <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Coronavirus-gives-China-an-edge-as-it-expands-sway-in-the-Pacific">entrenching</a> Chinese regional influence: loans from China make up 62% of Tonga’s total foreign borrowing; for Vanuatu the figure is 43%; for Samoa 39%. China is taking the initiative through what some call “<a href="https://devpolicy.org/chinas-coronavirus-covid-19-diplomacy-in-the-pacific-20200527-1/">COVID-19 diplomacy</a>”. This involves funding pandemic stimulus packages and offering aid and investment throughout the Pacific, including drafting a <a href="https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/free-trade-agreement-talks-underway-between-fiji-and-china/">free trade agreement</a> with Fiji. That is not to say Chinese investment in Pacific economies won’t do good. Rather, it is an argument for thinking beyond the immediate benefits of a travel bubble. By realigning their development priorities, Australia and New Zealand can help the Pacific build a better, more sustainable future. Written by Regina Scheyvens and Apisalome Movono. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/sun-sand-and-uncertainty-the-promise-and-peril-of-a-pacific-tourism-bubble-139661">The Conversation.</a>

Cruising

New Zealand’s COVID-19 Tracer app won’t help open a ‘travel bubble’ with Australia anytime soon

New Zealanders finally have access to the government’s new tracing app to help people monitor their movements as lockdown continues to ease. As businesses can now open, the <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-general-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/nz-covid-tracer-app">NZ COVID Tracer app</a> allows people to keep a register of the places they visit. This “digital diary” can be used to contact people if it finds they have been in the same place as someone infected with COVID-19. But the app has some significant shortcomings. These won’t be addressed until at least June, which raises questions about whether it has been released too soon. How do you set up and use the app? Registering for the app is a four-step process. When you sign up for an account you are presented with a privacy statement. This tells you your personal information is securely stored by the Ministry of Health. The app then asks you to enter your email address and pick a password. Some may find the password requirements too difficult to meet, especially if you struggle to remember a password of at least ten characters of mixed lower and uppercase letters and numbers. After entering your email, you will receive a verification code via email to complete the registration. In step 4, the app asks you to enter your name and a phone number. The phone number is not mandatory as I was able to create an account using just my first and last names. An “Account created” message will then appear before you get to a home page with three navigational items: <ul> <li>dashboard (this is the current home page)</li> <li>scan (where you can scan the QR code, I’ll explain why in a moment)</li> <li>my profile (where you can log off, update your contact details and address, provide feedback and access a range of other general services such as privacy and security statements).</li> </ul> By scrolling down the dashboard page, you are presented with features to register your details, update your address and “do a daily self-isolation checking” – this last feature is labelled as coming soon. Two types of registrations? The register option asks you to enter your first name, any middle name, last name, phone number, date of birth, gender and ethnicity. This seems confusing as you must go through two forms of registration. First when registering for an account, as we saw earlier, and second when registering your details here. These two processes should have been streamlined into one. The app also asks for gender and ethnicity details, but the justification provided is too generic, saying this “helps us confirm we are serving all New Zealanders”. So how does the app work? The app helps you keep track of the places you visit, like checking in to a restaurant on Facebook. But this process is not done automatically. To add a place you visit to your digital diary, you must scan a QR code available at that location. It should be in the form of a poster advertised at the entrance of a business. But this means businesses must register for a QR code, via <a href="https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/contact-tracing">Business Connect</a>, and have it clearly advertised at their premises. By scanning the QR code, the app will then log the location, date and time you visit this business. You can’t manually enter the details of places you visit. How will authorities contact you? The information provided during registration will be sent to a National Close Contact Service (NCCS) so it can contact you if you are identified as having been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. An update is expected in June, to allow you to transmit your digital diary of the locations you have visited to the NCCS. Until this function is implemented, if the NCCS contacts you, you will have to read out the locations you have signed into with the app. How will they know if you have been in contact with someone infected? Not via the app but through <a href="https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE2005/S00123/nz-covid-tracer-app-released-to-support-contact-tracing.htm">contact tracing procedures</a> already in place. Until the auto upload is implemented, I don’t believe they should have released the app. This approach is a workaround for not using GPS to log your locations, as in the Facebook restaurant check-in scenario. This could be to avoid issues pertaining to location privacy. But this approach has shortcomings. It is not reliable to use in commonly used or open spaces, such as food courts, school entrances, airports, train stations or any other places where you could come in contact with other people. This will require the use of lots of QR codes and lots of scanning. The app is not useful when visiting friends and family. You don’t expect them to have QR codes at their houses, and they can’t actually get one. Comparing the NZ and Australian apps So how does the New Zealand app compare to Australia’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqJCL0-XB6QIViw4rCh0XKAWfEAAYASAAEgJyOfD_BwE">COVIDSafe</a> app? The New Zealand app is not scalable to use in Australia as it would require Australian businesses to register for a Business Connect QR code, which they can’t. Likewise, Australia’s app is not for New Zealand. Visitors to either country would need to use the app specific to that country. Countries such as Iceland, Italy and Norway have not shied away from using GPS to track their citizens’ whereabouts. Australia and Singapore opted to use Bluetooth technology for contact tracing without accessing people’s location information. New Zealand has opted for a softer approach to COVID-19 contact tracing by using only a digital diary. But the director-general of health, Ashley Bloomfield, <a href="https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/508335/Bluetooth-functionality-to-be-added-to-contact-tracing-app.htm">told Radio NZ Bluetooth technology</a> should be added as an optional extra feature in June. So, at this stage, the NZ COVID Tracer app seems to be a work in progress. It tries to balance or makes some trade-offs between privacy and usability. But this adds to the burden on businesses (the need to set up QR codes) and limits scope when visiting friends or relatives in New Zealand. On May 5 this year, the New Zealand and Australian prime ministers released a <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prime-ministers-jacinda-ardern-and-scott-morrison-announce-plans-trans-tasman-covid-safe">joint statement</a> to say they had: […] agreed to commence work on a trans-Tasman COVID-safe travel zone – easing travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand. Such an arrangement would be put in place once it is safe to do so and necessary health, transport and other protocols had been developed and met. If the Australian COVIDSafe and NZ COVID Tracer apps are to be part of the solution in opening up travel between the nations, much more work will be needed to make the two apps far more compatible with each other. Written by Mahmoud Elkhodr. Republished with permission of <a href="/New%20Zealanders%20finally%20have%20access%20to%20the%20government’s%20new%20tracing%20app%20to%20help%20people%20monitor%20their%20movements%20as%20lockdown%20continues%20to%20ease.">The Conversation.</a>

International Travel

Why a trans-Tasman travel bubble makes a lot of sense for Australia and New Zealand

We are hearing <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio/adelaide/programs/am/nz-and-australia-discuss-trans-tasman-bubble/12214452">increasing talk about a trans-Tasman “travel bubble”</a>, which could see Australia and New Zealand open their borders to each other. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was a special guest at Australia’s national cabinet meeting on Tuesday, which discussed the possibility of setting up a travel safe zone. Both Ardern and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison have cautioned a travel bubble will not happen immediately. After the meeting, Morrison said a safe zone is “still some time away”. But he also stressed, “it is important to flag it, because it is part of the road back”. What would a travel bubble mean in practice for Australia and New Zealand? As tourism researchers in both countries, we see a travel bubble as a great opportunity to kick-start the post-COVID economic recovery, while also focusing on more sustainable tourism. Why the trans-Tasman bubble makes sense A travel bubble would see quarantine-free travel allowed between Australia and New Zealand. The two neighbours have a unique opportunity to do this. Not only are they geographically isolated, both have so far had success containing - perhaps even eliminating - COVID-19 cases within their borders. It is not yet known when international flows of tourists will be possible again. But <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/08/lockdowns-cant-end-until-covid-19-vaccine-found-study-says">it is understood</a> that global tourism as we once knew it will not be possible until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available. Historically, limited travel circuits have been associated with former and current Communist states. Nevertheless, for Australia and New Zealand in 2020, the idea of a travel safe zone makes a lot of sense. In 2018, <a href="https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/markets-and-stats/market-regions/new-zealand.html">New Zealand was Australia’s second largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and fourth largest market for visitor nights and total visitor spend</a>. Australia is New Zealand’s <a href="https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/5c05b7bfce/nz-tourism-forecasts-2018-2024-report.pdf">largest visitor market</a>, generating 1.5 million visitors a year as of 2017. The beauty of our shared travel markets is our visitors are generally repeat visitors who head to diverse regions. Because more than <a href="https://www.tourismnewzealand.com/markets-stats/markets/australia/">70% of Australians book self-drive holidays</a>, for example, their spending spreads more widely than some other visitors. Australians seek skiing and adventure in Queenstown, wine in the Martinborough or Waiheke Island regions. They also support Australian sports teams competing in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. In reverse, lots of Kiwis head to the Gold Coast but also visit the Hunter Valley for wine or Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane for sports events. Starting to rebuild these markets while the rest of the world remains in lockdown would represent a huge boost to both economies. What is needed to make a bubble work? After the national cabinet meeting, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-lot-of-work-before-there-s-a-trans-tasman-bubble-ardern-says-20200505-p54pxf.html">Ardern stressed “there is still a lot of work to be done”</a> before the travel safe zone idea can progress. The key to a successful trans-Tasman travel arrangement will be sound planning and implementation. Rigorous public health measures to facilitate safe travel will be essential, including being prepared for all travel to be halted again if the situation changes. Broad stakeholder involvement and coordination will be necessary, including between tourism commissions, airlines and airports, industry associations and a range of government agencies, to ensure any reopening is managed well. Local councils and businesses must also be involved to ensure that the tourism restart is planned, coordinated and controlled. A chance for greener travel A trans-Tasman travel bubble could also lead to a change in both countries’ tourism strategies. Like other countries, Australia and New Zealand have historically prioritised international tourists, particularly <a href="https://www.tourism.australia.com/content/dam/assets/document/1/c/1/3/v/2240923.pdf">“high value travellers”, who spend more and stay longer</a>. A COVID-era focus on domestic and trans-Tasman travel will likely result in lower yield but could also lead to a more sustainable tourism future. Trans-Tasman travel is the least carbon emitting of our international markets, because it does not rely on long-haul flights. Trans-Tasman visitors also tend to have a lower carbon footprint at their destinations. In 2018, <a href="https://www.tourismnewzealand.com/markets-stats/markets/australia/">more than half of all Australian visitors to New Zealand (57%) were repeat visitors</a>. Repeat visitors tend to spend more of their time at regional destinations, and less time incurring the carbon costs of transporting themselves around the country. New Zealand has already begun to <a href="https://www.pce.parliament.nz/our-work/news-insights/media-release-pristine-popular-imperilled">rethink its tourism economy</a> to establish greater sustainability. A trans-Tasman bubble presents an opportunity to foster tourism with a lighter footprint. Could the bubble be expanded? There is a call for an extension of this travel bubble to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/may/01/if-australia-and-new-zealand-restart-travel-they-should-include-the-pacific-in-their-bubble">Pacific neighbourhood</a>, where there are also low infection numbers. Such a move would not only provide economic support to the Pacific community, it would also represent another step in the long process of restoring normality in different regions of the world. Ardern has kept the door open on this aspect, but noted “at the moment, we are focused on Australia”. She has <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/should-pacific-countries-be-included-in-transtasman-travel/12214462">also cautioned</a> about not introducing COVID-19 to parts of the Pacific untouched by coronavirus. Even if it remains just Australia and New Zealand, any travel bubble will obviously elevate the risk of COVID-19 reinfection. So, public health priorities must trump the desire to kick-start economies, to make sure we don’t squander our success against coronavirus so far. But if the governments and tourism industries can find the right balance between public health and economic needs, then Australia and New Zealand stand to benefit from a head start on the long road to economic recovery.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/137878/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/freya-higgins-desbiolles-181651">Freya Higgins-Desbiolles</a>, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-higham-134567">James Higham</a>, Professor of Tourism, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-otago-1304">University of Otago</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-a-trans-tasman-travel-bubble-makes-a-lot-of-sense-for-australia-and-new-zealand-137878">original article</a>.

International Travel

A trans-Tasman bubble is an opportunity for Australia and NZ to reduce dependence on China

When it comes to our economic over-reliance on China, New Zealand consumers need look no further than their most popular big box chain, The Warehouse. The familiar “big red shed” sourced about 60% of its home brand stock from China in 2017 – and a further NZ$62 million in products directly through offices in China, India and Bangladesh in 2019. In Australia, many major chain stores as well as online retail giant <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/kogan-com-braces-for-coronavirus-threat-after-mixed-first-half-20200217-p541fu">kogan.com</a> are in a similar position. Reliant on China for much of what they sell, including exclusive home-brand items, they are part of what has been described as the world’s <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-26/coronavirus-impact-hits-australia-most-china-reliant-economy">most China-reliant economy</a>. The COVID-19 crisis has thrown Australian and New Zealand businesses’ dependence on China into stark relief. With countries reportedly competing with and undercutting each other to secure desperately needed medical supplies from China, many are now waking up to their economic exposure to a single manufacturing giant. Understandably, discussions about creating a <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prime-ministers-jacinda-ardern-and-scott-morrison-announce-plans-trans-tasman-covid-safe">“trans-Tasman bubble”</a> between Australia and New Zealand have focused on kick-starting economic activity in the short term, particularly through tourism. But both countries also need to take a longer-term view of boosting economic activity – including through increased manufacturing and trade integration. The statistics support this. In 2018, 20% of global trade in the manufacturing of “intermediate” products (which need further processing before sale) <a href="https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ditcinf2020d1.pdf">came from China</a>. Chinese manufacturing (including goods made from components made in China) also <a href="https://blog.euromonitor.com/coronavirus-impact-on-global-supply-chains/">accounted for</a>: <ul> <li>35% of household goods</li> <li>46% of hi-tech goods</li> <li>54% of textiles and apparel</li> <li>38% of machinery, rubber and plastic</li> <li>20% of pharmaceuticals and medical goods</li> <li>42% of chemical products.</li> </ul> Australia and New Zealand are no exception, with China the number one trading partner of both. Australia <a href="https://www.dfat.gov.au/">earned</a> 32.6% of its export income from China in 2019, mostly from natural resource products such as iron ores, coal and natural gas, as well as education and tourism. From New Zealand, 23% of <a href="https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/china-top-trade-partner-for-2019">exports</a> (worth NZ$20 billion) went to China in 2019, and much of the country’s manufacturing has moved to China over the past 20 years. The China factor in New Zealand supply chains is also <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/119598635/coronavirus-delivery-delays-from-chinese-are-hurting-kiwi-businesses">crucial</a>, with a fifth of exports containing Chinese components. Supply shortages from China The world is now paying a price for this dependence on China. Since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 there has been volatility in the supply of products ranging from cars and Apple phones to food ingredients and hand sanitiser packaging. More worryingly, availability of popular over-the-counter painkiller paracetamol was <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/411131/coronavirus-pharmac-to-limit-paracetamol-due-to-chinese-factory-closures">restricted</a> due to Chinese factory closures. This is part of a <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/australia-dangerously-dependent-on-medical-imports-20200217-p541ej">bigger picture</a> that shows Australia now importing over 90% of medicines and New Zealand <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/imports/pharmaceutical-products">importing</a> close to NZ$1.59 billion in pharmaceutical products in 2019. Overall, both countries are <a href="https://sldinfo.com/2020/03/australias-medicine-supply-chain-is-vulnerable/">extremely vulnerable</a> to major supply chain disruptions of medical products. For all these reasons, a cooperative trans-Tasman manufacturing strategy should be on the table right now and in any future bilateral trade policy conversations. Opportunities for Australia and NZ Rather than each country focusing on product specialisation or setting industrial priorities in isolation, the two economies need to discuss how best to pool resources, add value and enhance the competitive advantage of strategic industries in the region as a whole. Currently, trans-Tasman trade primarily involves natural resources and foodstuffs flowing from New Zealand to Australia, with motor vehicles, machinery and mechanical equipment flowing the other way. Manufacturing is skewed towards Australia, but closer regional integration would mean increased flows of capital, components and finished products between the countries. We have seen this already in the primary and service sectors but not much in the manufacturing sector, especially from New Zealand to Australia. Medical technologies and telecommunications equipment manufacturing (both critical during the pandemic) stand out as potential new areas of economic integration. In that sense, it was heartening to see major medical tech companies such as <a href="https://www.resmed.com.au/about-us/the-resmed-story">Res-Med Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.fphcare.com/nz/our-company/">Fisher & Paykel Healthcare</a> in New Zealand rapidly <a href="https://www.fairfieldchampion.com.au/story/6705551/private-hospitals-join-coronavirus-fight/?cs=9397">scale up</a> their production capacities to build respiratory devices, ventilators, and other personal protective equipment products. These brands enjoy a global technology edge, smart niche positioning and reputations for innovation. We need more of these inside a trans-Tasman trade and manufacturing bubble. China still vital but balance is crucial Key to successful regional integration will be the pooling of research and development (R&D) resources, mutual direct investment, subsidising R&D and manufacturing in emerging markets with profits from another (such as China), and value-adding specialisation in the supply chain. For example, Tait Communication in New Zealand recently <a href="https://www.taitradio.com/about-us/news/2011/tait-strengthens-customer-support-in-australia-with-new-facility">invested</a> in a new facility based in one of Australia’s largest science, technology and research centres. Together, we can make a bigger pie. None of this means cutting ties with China, which will remain the main importer of primary produce and food products from Australasia for the foreseeable future. And Chinese exports will still be vital. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare sells its products in about 120 countries, for example, but some of its key raw materials suppliers are Chinese. Getting this dynamic balancing right will be key to Australia and New Zealand prospering in the inevitably uncertain – even divided – post-pandemic global business environment. And you never know, maybe one day we’ll see a “made in Australia and New Zealand” label in the aisles of The Warehouse and Bunnings. Written by Hongzhi Gao and Monica Ren. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/beyond-travel-a-trans-tasman-bubble-is-an-opportunity-for-australia-and-nz-to-reduce-dependence-on-china-137062">The Conversation.</a>

Travel Tips

6 clever ways to use bubble wrap around the house

Yes it’s great for posting fragile items, or for occupying kid for a good ten minutes, but bubble wrap has loads of other great uses too. 1. Plump up shoes If you’ve had some shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe that are a little squashed, you can fix them quickly. Just ball up some bubble wrap and place it into the shoes to bring them back to life in around 45 minutes. 2. Drafty windows Stick some bubble wrap on a window to reduce the breeze when you’ve got cracked glass. Simply spray the glass with water and place the bubble wrap against it, once you’ve measured up and cut it to size. 3. Protect fruit in the bowl and crisper Pop some bubble wrap under your fruit and this will help protect it from getting bruised. In your crisper drawer it also gives you a quick way to clean as you can just replace the bubble wrap as needed. 4. Insulate hot food in transit Cooked something in a slow cooker or casserole dish and need to transport it? Wrap it in bubble wrap and then a tea towel and this will give you a bit more heat on arrival. 5. Make a knee pad for gardening In a pinch you can layer up some bubble wrap and use it to protect your knees while gardening. 6. Reduce the noise in your toolbox or drawers Line the bottom of your utensil drawer or toolbox with some bubble wrap to reduce the amount of noise emitted when you move things around. Have we missed anything? How do you use bubble wrap at home? Let us know in the comments.

Home & Garden

Fascinated orangutan tries to taste bubbles

Chelsea the Bornean orangutan from Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin has had quite the morning, investigating the source of some mysterious bubbles just like a curious child would. And, we have to say, it looks like she’s having the time of her life. The video, posted to Facebook last week, has attracted more than 13,000 views, with one commenter pointing out, “they are so human like. How many of us tried to catch bubbles?” Credit: Henry Vilas Zoo via Storyful Related links: <a href="/news/news/2017/02/oddball-warrnambool-penguin-protector-dies-at-15/">Oddball, the Warrnambool penguin protector, has died aged 15</a> <a href="/news/news/2017/02/zookeeper-valentines-day-kisses-from-koalas/">Zookeeper receives Valentine’s Day kisses from two cute koalas</a> <a href="/news/news/2017/02/man-stops-traffic-to-help-a-swan-get-back-home/">Man stops traffic to help a swan get back home</a>

News

Bacon bubble and squeak

This delicious recipe for bubble and squeak can be made with leftover vegetables or made with boiled or steamed vegetables. Ingredients: <ul> <li>500g roasted or steamed vegetables, diced</li> <li>400g potatoes, pre-cooked, peeled & diced</li> <li>50ml olive oil</li> <li>4 free range eggs, poached or fried</li> <li>8 bacon rashers, cooked until crisp & golden</li> <li>Salt & pepper to taste</li> <li>Chutney to serve</li> <li>Chopped parsley to garnish</li> </ul> Method: 1. Preheat grill. 2. Heat a medium non-stick pan over a medium heat with 25ml olive oil for 2-3 minutes. 3. Add the vegetables and potatoes to the pan and mash with a fork to combine, season and press into a large pancake shape. Cook over a medium heat 5-6 minutes until the base is golden and turn the mixture to incorporate the golden base. 4. Press the mixture once again into a large pancake shape and drizzle the edges of the pan with the remaining oil. Continue cooking for a further 5-6 minutes until base is crisp and golden. 5.Spread the surface of the bubble and squeak with the butter and place the pan under the pre-heated grill until surface is golden and bubbling. 6. Cut the bubble and squeak into large wedges and carefully remove from the pan and place onto each serving plate. 7. Top the bubble and squeak with an egg and crisp rashers of bacon. 8. Garnish with parsley and a dollop of chutney. How do you throw together the leftovers in the fridge? Let us know in the comments below. Recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.pork.com.au/home-page-consumer.aspx" target="_blank">Australian Pork</a>. Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/08/kung-pao-chicken/">Kung pao chicken</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/bread-and-butter-pudding/">Spelt brioche bread and butter pudding</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/kangaroo-burgers/">Kangaroo burgers</a>

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Fascinated orangutan tries to taste bubbles

Bacon bubble and squeak

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