Jo Raphael: Let's keep the travel bubbles open as long as possible

Scenes like this will soon be a reality with the opening of the Cook Islands travel bubble. Photo / File

OPINION

I love a good getaway.

You're out of the country, away from "real life", relaxing, trying things you would never normally try, or buying things you would never normally buy.

You've got your feet in the sand, sun on your back, a drink in your hand and you're seemingly without a care in the world - feeling the stress melt away.

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Kiwis now get the opportunity to experience this type of holiday again after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown officially announced the quarantine-free travel bubble with the Cook Islands and New Zealand.

"Our economy has been devastated. Today we start our journey of recovery. Today we get back into business and today we start to rebuild," Brown said in a Facebook video.

May 17 is the day that families can be reunited and tourists can have somewhere else to go to relax.

Travel companies say they've seen a flurry of interest in flights and accommodation, with one hotel chain saying that it was taking calls and bookings while the live announcement was still being made on telly.

Such is the desperation for some to get out of the country and experience an island getaway.

The relief will be palpable on both sides – the Pacific nation's languishing tourism sector will hopefully get a kickstart, while Kiwis, who seem to be experiencing a type of cabin fever, will get a break.

However, we must be vigilant. We have been so lucky at keeping Covid-19 at bay. Although luck is not quite the correct word here – it's more like hard work and sacrifice that have got us to where we are.

We should be counting our blessings while countries such as India are experiencing a devastating wave of cases – causing so much fear and heartbreak.

As we start to open our borders, we must understand that it is a privilege to be able to travel and we must follow the processes and protocols.

Freedom is based on trust and we rely on every single person to do their bit.

Wear your mask when you're asked to, don't travel if you're sick, fill in your arrival and departure cards correctly and have your temperature checked, download and use the CookSafe+ app before arriving in Rarotonga and switch on the Bluetooth function.

This is not actually a big ask, and means everyone can enjoy a safe travel bubble.

Meanwhile, I'm also looking forward to our bubbles being extended further afield – bring on Bali 2022.