Asia's first "travel bubble" has finally launched between Taiwan and Palau. The islands of  Taiwan and Palau  have opened a reciprocal travel lane, enabling residents of both places to travel back and forth quarantine-free provided they follow certain guidelines.

The bubble, which Palau is calling a "sterile corridor," kicked off on April 1. The first flight, on Taiwan's China Airlines, is scheduled to leave Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport at 2:30 p.m. and is due to arrive in Palau at 7:30 p.m. local time. Palau is one hour ahead of Taiwan.

Palau, less than four hours by plane from Taiwan, is one of only 15 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with the Chinese-claimed island, and the closing of its borders last year to keep the virus out has severely hurt its economy.

With Palau recording no cases and the outbreak under control in Taiwan, Taipei agreed to the "sterile corridor" last month, though there are still controls, including tourists having to travel in a group and limited contact with local people.

Speaking at Taiwan's main international airport at Taoyuan, outside of Taipei, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said he was pleased the bubble was starting. "Many times we need to take bold steps, and I think this is a bold step. But it's a very careful step and that's why we say we're opening Palau with care," he said, before boarding a China Airlines 737 jet back home, accompanying the first group in the bubble.

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