The “Bula Bubble”: Australians and New Zealanders to be permitted to travel to Fiji

Fiji Tourism Reopen for Australians and New Zealanders - Photo from Vomo

As many are itching to travel, Aussies and Kiwis can celebrate that they will be allowed to travel to Fiji under the Phase 2 of Fiji nation’s COVID-Safe Economic Recovery plan announced by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

The plan, involving Fiji Airways and Tourism Fiji, will enable Australians and New Zealanders to holiday in the country in “a manner that is carefully controlled and safely insulated,” he said.

“Everywhere they go will be wholly dedicated to others who match the same criteria, safely guided by what we’re calling ‘VIP lanes’ – allowing them to Vacation In Paradise.”

The PM of Fiji explained that tourists from the Pacific neighbours will either need a recognized medical institution certificate, certifying 14 days of quarantine in their home country had been served, along with proof of a negative COVID test within 48 hours of departing to Fiji, or, upon arrival in Fiji, the traveller can complete 14 days of quarantine, unfortunately at their own cost, in a designated quarantine hotel of their choosing, after which a negative COVID test can then clear them to start their Fiji holiday.

Resorts open in Fiji Post-Covid

Specific resorts around Fiji that “best fit” the Bula Bubble are currently being revised, the same way how the Maldives have been planning the relaunch of tourism with some reopening phases for different hotels.

Fiji Airways, in collaboration with Tourism Fiji and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport are planning to announce further more details in due course.

At the moment, Australians are not allowed to travel internationally for leisure and Fiji Airways has suspended its commercial flights to Australia and beyond until the end of July.

Fijian citizens and Fiji residents in Australia and New Zealand were able since 22 June to travel to Fiji after passing through a set of new safety measures. Fiji’s current nationwide curfew is still in place, but the hours have been updated to between 11pm until 4am daily, since Monday 22 June as well. At the moment, any gatherings of more than 20 people are banned and, of course, cruise ships remain banned from docking in Fiji.

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