A restart of domestic tourism will be welcomed by many Far South Coast businesses and tourism operators, who have taken a series of sustained and severe economic blows for almost two years.
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However, given the role cruise ships held in spreading coronavirus at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the scheduled recommencement of the industry when the Australian government's current ban lifts on December 17 may arouse trepidation for some Bega Valley residents.
A Port Authority of NSW spokeswoman said they were continuing to develop a "return to cruise plan" in conjunction with federal and state agencies, cruise companies and industry bodies "for a safe and secure resumption of cruise as soon as it is safe to do so".
Speaking with ACM this week, Bega general practitioner Duncan MacKinnon said he thought the current vaccination rates in the shire were outstanding.
"We are going to be as well-protected from COVID coming to the community as we can be," Dr MacKinnon said.
"I don't think it will increase the risk, as it will be ubiquitous anyway, whether cruise returns or not.
"There may be be some evidence now is a better time when antibody levels are high. In six months' time antibody levels may not be as good as they are currently.
"I am not advocating for cruise ships to return before we have a 90 per cent double vaccination rate - if we can get up there, we will be as safe as we could ever be.
"COVID will be in the community regardless, and it would be a great economic revival [for cruise ships to return].
"It would breathe life into communities who have done it hard on the back of the fires. We are still here, life goes on and it has to," Dr MacKinnon said.
Eden's Visitor Information Centre relocated to the purpose-built Welcome Centre next to the cruise wharf in April this year and manager Clair Mudaliar said her staff and volunteers were excited for the return of the cruise industry.
"We feel we are in the perfect space now and have had time to get settled in and ready," Ms Mudaliar said.
"We know it might look a little different when it does eventually start, and we respect that a lot of work has been done to ensure the safe return of cruise for both passengers and visited townships."
"We originally had 34 cruises booked for this summer, and we were so hopeful for that as Eden as a town needs it so badly right now.
"But we will await advice from the powers that be and continue to liaise closely with Port Authority and Cruise Eden," Ms Mudaliar said.
Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises have cruises scheduled to arrive in Twofold Bay during December this year, with P&O scheduled to arrive in early 2022.
"We are looking forward to the return of cruise to Eden and welcoming cruise passengers to our new state of the art visitor information centre, along with helping bring back tourism to the area and boosting local business as soon as possible," the Port Authority of NSW spokeswoman said.
Asked if the local health system was equipped to deal with a COVID outbreak with current vaccination rates, Dr MacKinnon said he believed it was.
"It's a bit like an elastic band though really, you never know unless it's tested," he said.
"But we are as well prepared as any health system, and in our community we have some really good professionals who are skilled and prepared to deliver care that's needed. We are fortunate.
"No man is an island and we can't continue to enjoy the privilege of being isolated. We need to reengage - that will happen and I think it can happen safely."
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Leah Szanto
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
