Sky News host Peter Gleeson says it is a “popular thing” for state and territory leaders to keep their borders closed despite families being separated from loved ones for months.

It comes as New Zealand has agreed to a trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia in 2021.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand should return by the end of March 2021 provided the COVID-19 situation in both countries remains as it is currently.

She said a commencement date of the travel bubble will be announced once arrangements are finalised, adding her government was working through plans to deal with potential coronavirus outbreaks.

Mr Gleeson said at the moment these travel bubbles “are a myth” as Australians still have to wait for months before being able to potentially see loved ones overseas.

Discussing the issue, Sky News Darwin Bureau Chief Matt Cunningham said what must be remembered is that people would be “coming from one place where there is no coronavirus, to another place where there is no coronavirus”.

“So, what’s the problem about travelling between those two places?” Mr Cunningham said.